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When speaking to shop owners, it still appears that many are still looking to hire a qualified tech. It has gotten better, and I believe it's because most shop owners are more willing to create a better workplace and pay package. What are your top ways or thoughts on attracting and keeping auto techs?

Let's face it, no one or no entity will help us with the Tech shortage. The truth is, this is not new. This shortage has been created largely from decades of steering young people to college, and not the trades. I believe we need to get involved with apprenticeship programs. Below is an article in Motor Magazine. Your thoughts? Comments?

A friend of mine who owns a 6-bay shop in New York recently hired a tech. He was short a tech for months and was desperate. Without getting into details, the newly-hired tech lasted two weeks. Between his work ethic, bad attitude, and comebacks, it was a costly mistake. Have you hired the wrong person in the past? I know you need to fill an important decision, but is hiring anyone the right move, hoping that things will work out?

It's a safe bet that nearly every auto repair shop is looking to hire an employee, most likely a technician. While I am a big proponent of a plan to recruit constantly, we can never forget about the employees we have right now. Do all you can to create a healthy workplace with high morale. Have a one-on-one with all your employees. Find out what they like about working at your repair shop and perhaps more importantly, what they would like to change. Ask your employees what they would do to improve your company. If you have never done this before, you may get the "deer in the headlights" look, but don't worry, keep asking and in time your employees will be a great resource for you. When people feel appreciated and know that their opinion counts, it helps them from looking over the fence for greener grass. What do you do at your auto repair shop to help retain your employees?

A shop owner friend of mine told me that one of his top techs came to him to let him know that a shop across town contacted him to recruit him. The other shop offered more money and other benefits. This is not the first time I have heard this. While recruiting is something shop owners need to do on a consistent basis, when does it cross the line? Or does it?

Got your attention? Good. The topic of the tech shortage has been discussed, kicked around, and debated now for decades. It is nothing new. So, what are YOU doing about it? If we wait for some "entity" to solve our tech shortage, we will be waiting forever. Here is what I think, and tell me how you feel about this: All shops need to start an apprenticeship program Shop owners need to attend career days at the local high schools Shop owners need to reach out to tech schools and post-secondary auto tech schools and let them know of their apprenticeship program Shop owners need to improve the work environment to increase their employee retention rate Shop owners need to sit down once a quarter, do the math, know what they need to be profitable, and put a plan together to raise their employees' wages, including their own! Thoughts? Comments? Opinions?

With so much talk these days about the technician shortage, I thought it would be a great idea to share a few recruiting tips that have helped. What tip can you share that you have had great success with?

With all the talk these days about finding and hiring employees, it's so important that you hold on to the employees you have right now. You may not know it, but there are probably dealers and other repair shops recruiting your employees right now as your read this post! Set up time to sit down with all your employees, as a group and one-on-one. Find out more about them, their needs, their goals and what's important to them. Make sure you pay program is in line with their needs and provides for their family. It's not all about money, but we need to take care of the basic needs of life first. It's hard enough to find employees these days, make sure you keep the ones you have now! Your thoughts?