If you’re a typical professional technician, you’ll spend at least $50,000 on tools during the course of your career.
A new auto repair industry survey also found that fully one third of techs will spend $100,000 or more of their own money to have the tools they need to do their jobs.
The survey by parts retailer AutoZone and repair information provider ALLDATA also found that techs are seeking more training, especially on the new driver assist technology and electric vehicles.
The survey, which was conducted with more than 300 techs from May 15 to June 20, concluded that providing tools and training are among a number of steps repair shops, dealerships and fleets can take to attract and retain top notch professional technicians.
When asked by the survey, “About how much money have you spent on tools in your career as an automotive technician?”
- 32% said $100,000+
- 5% said $90,000 to $99,999
- 6% said $80,000 to $89,999
- 8% said $70,000 to $79,999
- 10% said $60,000 to $69,999
- 13% said $50,000 to $59,999
Technicians are also frequent tool purchasers. In fact, the survey found that 34% of respondents said they buy tools monthly, and another 36% said they make tool purchases “a few times a year.”
And when they do shop, technicians turn a discerning eye toward items. Fully 63% of respondents said tool quality was extremely important when making a purchase. Interestingly, only 28% said price was an extremely important consideration when it came to their purchase.
But, less than half – 44% – agreed with the statement, “I can currently afford what tools cost in today’s market.”
The survey also found that professional technicians favor training. When the survey asked, “How valuable are the following training topics to advancing your career and making your job tasks easier to perform?”
- 53% said training in advanced diagnostics was extremely important
- 52% said electrical training was extremely important
- 48% said engine control training was extremely important
- 43% said heating and air conditioning training was extremely important
Technicians also agree that certifications matter, especially when it comes to new technologies like electric vehicles or ADAS. The survey found:
- 25% found such certification extremely valuable
- 24% said it was very valuable
- 27% said somewhat valuable
However, some technicians identified there are barriers to achieving certifications. Forty percent reported not having adequate time to take certification tests, while 31% believe testing costs kept them from achieving more industry certifications.
Finally, in its recommendations, the survey said, “Industry decision makers, shop owners, and technician mentors alike can consider these recommendations to implement in the workplace to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and morale among technicians.”
The survey suggests:
- Shops should consider offering more training opportunities, shop-provided tools, and certification reimbursement to attract top talent
- Offering specialized equipment and extra training in emerging technologies can provide an extra level of safety and comfort for technicians working on EVs and ADAS equipment
- A robust tool assistance program can help build a technician’s tool set while also relieving some of the financial burden
- Staying flexible with tool and equipment purchasing can be beneficial, as many technicians are using multiple diagnostic tool types, tool brands, and service information providers regularly
The survey concludes these recommendations “can help build a technician’s career from the start, offer more resources to the automotive service industry, and ensure shops are equipped for current and future technologies.”
