Business View Magazine | Volume 9, Issue 3

74 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 3 qualified candidates entering the job market in our industry. As cars have become more complex, having talented and well-trained employees is more important than ever. For years, school children have been taught that the only path to success in adulthood is to go straight to a four- year university to obtain their degree. Trades in industries across the board have had to become innovative, combatting old stereotypes that have kept kids away. Today’s technician job description is as much a STEM career position as it is a trade. Many shops must outsource difficult diagnostic work or reach out to electrical systems specialists just to get cars back on the road, being unable to find capable folks to do the job in-house. Another important focus for us is to help our industry change the outdated images of automotive service technicians in order to attract the technicians of the future. As of 2018, 91% of automotive technicians are male. The industry has historically failed to make it clear that women can have successful and lucrative careers as techs, service writers and owners. Many have also taken a less aggressive path to building their employee pipeline by failing to hire apprentices and entry-level technicians, investing only in those that can generate revenue by turning wrenches on their first day on the job. When they have a vacancy to fill, they wonder why they cannot find anyone capable to fill the spot. ASTA has created a registered apprentice program (NC Automotive Apprentice Program) that enables us to collaborate with schools and local communities across North Carolina and beyond, marketing apprenticeships and the benefits of working for the independent shops to promising candidates. We are then able to assist our shop owners in finding the right apprentice for their business, and by entering our hybrid program, the business gets guidance and support while training their new technician part-time. The remainder of the day, the apprentice will