Will Technology Attract Young People to Our Industry?

[Joe Marconi]

I was speaking with a friend of mine the other day. He's a high school math teacher. He asked me if the Hi-Tech cars of today and tomorrow will attract more young people to the automotive trade? I never gave it a thought, but it just might.

 

What are your thoughts, will technology help to bring more talented people to our industry?

 

[slowtech]

Not at todays entry level of pay.

[Joe Marconi]

Not at todays entry level of pay.

 

Interesting statement. There is an argument that many techs and shop owners don't get paid enough, at any level of experience. I wonder how others feel about levels of pay for entry level and other levels?

[ATSAutomotive]

Doesn't everyone feel they deserve more pay?

[slowtech]

Entry level for a tech school grad doesn't really justify the 30k school cost & another 6-8k in tools just to be a lube tech for the same pay as a fast food server.

[Tires Too]

slowtech,

I don't believe that is true. An entry level tech is going to make 20K plus with the expectation to move up pretty quickly. Within a year that tech should be making 30K or there is a problem with their skills or their employers pay schedule. After several years a good tech should be making 50K or more. I don't know to many burger joints paying that kind of money.

Edited May 7, 2014 by Tires Too

[slowtech]

20k a year is about minimum wage in Oregon & Washington, what fast food workers get. Non skilled factory workers start at 25k around here, no trade school cost and no tool bill. If we want to fill the dropping ranks in available techs we need a new path.

[Tires Too]

I always though New England had some of the highest costs of living and that wages were higher here than in many parts of the country. Around here a fast food worker is going to make around $8.00 per hour, $320 per week, $16000 per year. None skilled labor worker are maybe $12.00 per hour, $24K per year, if it's year round work. I haven't had issues finding good techs at our pay levels. We do pay 50% of the health insurance premiums, match dollar for dollar up to 3% of pay for retirement, pay for uniforms, training, ASE certifications etc. What's an entry level teacher making in your area? Around here $30k. That's with a 4 year degree and possibly $100k in student loan debt.

[slowtech]

Teachers here start about the same. Also get 2 months off during summer and retire at 55 with great pension. Good techs can also do well. The issue is attracting new talent with the right potential. A lot of potential gets lost because of cost of education and/or lack of experience. In our industry we need a proper apprenticeship program designed to build a new qualified work force that allows employees to earn & learn on the job.

[xrac]

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[slowtech]

An online and in shop apprenticeship combination may be the way to develop our next generation of techs. Trade schools aren't producing any better techs for the price than we could for less cost.