Vehicle mechanics shortage explained
- Thread starter movietvet
- Start date
Exactly. This has been echoed on some other sites I frequent. I think the complexity is a big thing coupled with that flat rate.
I had visited with an old retired Toyota master tech some years back. He was telling me about these issues during the frame recalls. They lost a lot of money before they could swap a frame out in the paid time.
I had visited with an old retired Toyota master tech some years back. He was telling me about these issues during the frame recalls. They lost a lot of money before they could swap a frame out in the paid time.
Our son had done an apprenticeship at a GM dealer while he was in HS auto shop. All the techs were telling him to NOT get into this line of work for all the reasons mentioned in the video. He's now a HydroVac operator. Our youngest works on heavy equipment. He started at a couple of "dealer" shops and had to buy like $30k in tools. After getting his red seal certification, he now works for Cat at a mine that he is flown into, housed, fed, and he uses THEIR tools. He is making money hand over fist, however it's at the expense (sort of) of family time where he's gone for two weeks and back home for two weeks.
One thing that wasn't talked a lot in the video is the thousands in tools and equipment that techs have to buy and pay themselves so right from the get go, they're saddled with huge debt. How many professions do you know of where the employer doesn't supply the tools required for the work? Imagine a soldier, cop or firefighter having to buy all their equipment? Or office workers that would have to buy their computers and printers? etc. I don't get that.
The year I worked at a dealership, I never saw such a bunch of unhappy people not caring for the work they did. Sad really.
All workers should be paid a fair hourly wage (including restaurant staff and get rid of this tipping BS!).
One thing that wasn't talked a lot in the video is the thousands in tools and equipment that techs have to buy and pay themselves so right from the get go, they're saddled with huge debt. How many professions do you know of where the employer doesn't supply the tools required for the work? Imagine a soldier, cop or firefighter having to buy all their equipment? Or office workers that would have to buy their computers and printers? etc. I don't get that.
The year I worked at a dealership, I never saw such a bunch of unhappy people not caring for the work they did. Sad really.
All workers should be paid a fair hourly wage (including restaurant staff and get rid of this tipping BS!).
Mechanics/technicians are treated like independent contractors, who would own their own tools. When a shop/dealer treats them that way, as far as the tools cost, then they should be paid accordingly. The mechanic's body takes a beating for what they do. I can attest to that. I have arthritis in numerous areas of my body, I have an inguinal hernia that will be operated on Sept. 28th. I have a curved spine with two damaged discs. I do work in my driveway and control what I do because if will be hard on me physically, I pass on the job/work.
I am done buying tools and owe nothing and can sell for a hefty amount when I choose to.
The only/biggest advantage to being a mechanic/tech is that you can get a job asap and live where you want because the jobs are there. There is also a bidding war, at independent shops for good and qualified mechanics. I never have and never would work at a dealer. The only advantage to a dealer mechanic job is that you see the same vehicles on a regular basis.