Driven to serve: Fueling the next generation of automotive technicians
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I’m fortunate to be a part of the ever changing automotive landscape where our industry is constantly presented with new technologies, new regulations, sustainability and green initiatives, and you guessed it: AI integrations. The market is one of the most influential industries worldwide as it shapes economies, communities and lifestyles. My family has been involved in the industry for generations, and I’m constantly learning and looking for ways to educate myself and my team on up-and-coming technology and trends to best serve our customers.
Just two years ago, there were over 232 million licensed drivers in the United States. This, coupled with the fact that the number of older drivers (65+) is on the rise, the need for skilled automotive technicians is also increasing. One of the biggest issues our industry faces is a nationwide shortage of skilled automotive service workers to address vehicle issues, and it’s projected we’ll need 100,000 new technicians to join the U.S. workforce every year through 2026 to keep up with demand. Everything from tire repairs (39% of U.S. drivers rely on professionals to know when it’s time to change tires), to more difficult cases like an engine replacement, it’s critical that we work to prepare and train our next generation of automotive workers.
Addressing the automotive skills gap
The skills gap, or talent gap, is something that the automotive industry must remain aware of, and take action on. Automotive technicians are a part of a skilled trade; one that requires continual and high tech education, especially as the rate of electronic vehicle (EV) ownership increases globally and cars become more technologically complex. More than ever before, auto technicians moving forward will need to showcase diagnostic skills, a deep understanding of automotive technology and mechanics, and much more.
This is exactly why we launched the Automotive Technician Education Pathway as part of the Chariot Automotive Institute, a program for local high schoolers, in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College. This program gives students hands-on training while they earn college credit before they even graduate from high school. My team is committed to providing a pathway for high schoolers to not only obtain a meaningful and lasting career, but be rewarded in the process.
Investing in our next generation of workers
We live in a day and age where skilling up, perfecting a trade, and pursuing a meaningful career doesn’t necessarily mean going to a traditional, four-year college. Sometimes mentorship and hands-on training can provide similar opportunities. I always felt like I had a strong mentor: my father, Ivan.
From an early age, my father taught me two guiding principles to live by: serving others and doing the right thing. He was my first mentor, and remains one to this day. He was the one who took over our family-owned car automotive dealership with my uncle decades ago, and I knew I also wanted to be part of his legacy, which now includes four dealerships in the Chariot Automotive Group.
There’s a powerful synergy between mentorship and career readiness, satisfaction, and retention, especially as it relates to skilled trade occupations like auto technicians. According to a recent university study, 76% of people think mentors are important, and skills development programs are critical to the success of millions of companies nationwide.
I urge other business owners to look into what skills development programs are possible for their team, and to take the next step in focusing on their current and future staff’s skills development.
Rex Gingerich has more than 10 years of automotive experience and is the Founder and CEO of Chariot Automotive Group, a family-owned automotive dealership network headquartered in Kokomo, Indiana.