A new survey of repair shop owners finds that almost half of those responding said the shortage of skilled technicians has a “moderate to highly significant impact” on their businesses.
Of the 46% of the 514 shop owners surveyed by PartsTech who expressed the sentiment, 20% said the technician shortage had a “highly significant impact” on their businesses, and another 23% said it had a “moderately significant impact”.
Another 38% said the shortage had a “slightly significant impact” while just 18% said they felt “no significant impact at all”.
The online parts and tire platform that connects repair shops with more than 225 suppliers issued those and other results recently in its The State of General Auto Repair Shops in the United States. The 43-page report also includes details on shop revenue, staffing, technician hiring and retention, and average shop size and the number of vehicles serviced each day.
According to the survey, over half – 58% – of repair shops have between three and six bays.
The survey also found shops, on average, service 2.2 vehicles per bay per day. This means that the average 6-bay shop services approximately 13 vehicles per day.
On average, shops have 0.7 technicians per bay. This suggests most shops operate with fewer technicians than bays. That means a typical six-bay shop likely has four to five technicians, according to the survey.
Here are the other highlights:
What do you believe is the primary reason for the technician shortage in your area?
- 20% Competition from other industries
- 18% Negative perception of the profession
- 18% Low compensation
- 13% Lack of awareness of the profession
- 10% Inadequate benefits
- 6% Lack of career advancement opportunities
Which strategies do you find most effective for attracting new technicians?
- 76% Offering competitive wages
- 36% Offering enhanced benefits
- 34% Offering flexible work hours
- 32% Having premium tools/diagnostics
- 32% Providing training/certification opportunities
- 25% Recognizing/rewarding achievements
Which strategies do you find most effective for retaining technicians?
- 69% Creating a positive work environment
- 57% Offering competitive pay/benefits
- 49% Promoting work/life balance
- 28% Supporting flexible schedules
How important is career pathing to retaining technicians at your shop?
- 27% Moderately important
- 26% Very important
- 18% Slightly important
- 16% Extremely important
- 14% Not important
Do you provide clear career path opportunities for technicians in your shop?
- 50% Yes, but it is informally based on individual discussions
- 26% No, but we’re considering this
- 14% No, and we’re not considering it
- 10% Yes, we have formalized a structural path and defined roles
How oen do you discuss career advancement opportunities with your technicians?
- 44% Occasionally (0nce or twice a year)
- 25% Rarely (Less than once a year)
- 18% Regularly (Quarterly or more often)
What types of career development opportunities do you o
er technicians?
- 48% Advancement training and certification
- 46% Specialization in specific repair or diagnostics
- 42% Cross-training in different roles
- 37% Regular performance reviews with feedback
Does your shop have an apprenticeship program for technicians?
- 36% No, but we’re considering it
- 28% No, and we’re not considering it
- 26% We have one or more apprentices but no formal program
- 9% Yes, a formal program