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I don't know what's worse: the tech shortage, the lower than needed rate of young people becoming techs, or the fact that there are many technicians leaving our industry. I guess all three topics are serious issues, but techs leaving the industry has to move to the top, in my opinion. What can we do as Shop Owners to provide a healthy work environment and career that tells techs we care and we want you to stay?

There’s a lot of talk these days about finding quality employees. Creating a continuous recruiting process to find and hire quality people is essential for your overall success. However, shop owners also need to consider their existing employees and create a work environment where people feel wanted. The truth is you cannot afford to lose the people you have now, especially if those employees are superstars. Another reality is that with so many shops looking to hire, they may be trying to recruit and hire your employees! To attract and retain employees, shop owners must create an amazing workplace experience. A great pay plan must also be a factor, along with benefits, but it’s not the entire reason why people stay employed with you. The truth is, people don’t quit businesses, they quit their boss or their manager. This is not to say that a pay plan is unimportant. It is, especially these days. However, to get your employees truly engaged and want to continue working at your company requires having a workplace environment where people feel appreciated for the work they do, are encouraged, and have a feeling of shared purpose. This will help anchor your employees to your business and help prevent them from looking over the fence for greener grass. Lastly, get more involved with your employees on a personal level. Find out what matters to them. Find out what their goals are. When you align employee goals with company goals, you are well on your way to having a winning team. You will also create a strong bond with your employees. This strategy will help you retain employees, with a stronger and more profitable business in the long term.