One of the largest concerns facing the automotive industry is the shortage of technicians. Many qualified technicians have left in retirement or have moved on to other markets that also have needs such as fleets or oilfields. Adding to this concern is very few young technicians have chosen to enter a market with so many challenges. A few of the obstacles for today’s youth that desire to be a technician include requirements of large individual investments for tools and education. Many of these technicians get discouraged when they enter into a dealership environment that forces entry-level to endure low hourly rates or flat rate system without support. As my hope was faltering about youth entering into the dealership technician world I met a young man named Ben Scheanwald with the Baumann Auto Group. This impressive young family man is diligently preparing to take his ASE and factory certifications while he learns all he can from the talented technician staff around him. His commitment to developing the skill set required is evident as he reaches toward a future filled with promise and he furthers his career as a technician. He understands the challenges involved however views obstacles as only a temporary inconvenience he will overcome. Ben has renewed my hope in the future as I believe he can’t be the last of a dying breed. Your dealership needs to establish a mentor program looking for young men and women to develop. Dealerships need to address the fact qualified technicians all started with only desire as their skill set and have a program to assist developing it for future requirements. Seek out and assist promising individuals to overcome their obstacles such as tools and training with commitments and programs to develop the foundations for success. Maybe then we will have a future that has overcome the obstacle of staffing technicians.

Sincerely,
Rob Gehring, President
Fixed Performance Inc.
rgehring@fixedperformance.com
Cell: (419) 282-1351
1-888-205-8718
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