Can Tech Close the Auto Staffing Gap?
Christian Stadlmann
CRO at Anyline
There’s an ongoing shortage of employees in the auto industry. Virtually all parts of the industry have been impacted in some way by this staffing gap. In a recent interview with Clay Barr, who has more than 14 years of experience in the manufacturing industry and auto repair, Mark Babin of the Auto Tech Show discussed the current gap and what it means for the industry as a whole.
Technology Is Changing the Industry
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to closing that staffing gap in the auto industry is the role technology will play. Those companies not at the forefront and not investing in the most innovative solutions will be left behind, shares Barr. Speaking of that goal, he says, “That’s like the biggest trend. We see that if you don’t adapt, you’re going to get left behind. And I think that maybe the big guys can get away with it a bit more. But they also have the budget to recover, and the smaller operators, medium-size operators, have to embrace this as much as possible right now because they’re dealing with so much challenge.”
While that may be the case, all of that technology, especially the new components today’s manufacturers are incorporating in vehicles, is leading to a skills gap as well. You have a new generation of students entering the field that need to have a far higher technology skill set than those of just a few years ago, and that requires ongoing training and preparation as these new hires come into the field.
That lack of skilled workers – those who can handle the computer – and tech components of the work and not just the traditional mechanic role – is one of the core reasons this auto staffing gap exists. There just are not enough people filling that role. A big part of that is the simple fact that, in the past, this role wasn’t an attractive one that lured in a lot of people. Yet, now, with the inclusion of more advanced technology, there’s more opportunity to show students the sheer opportunities that exist, including a technology-focused career that pays well.
A Solid Training Program Is Key
There will be new employees in this field who cannot adapt to the demands of technology, but today’s younger generations are more adept and dependent on technology. Making the leap to working in technology in the automotive industry, though, will require a much higher focus on offering high-quality, engaging training programs that, in themselves, are keeping up with the industry’s changes.
When you present the right type of training, it is possible to provide those who would be employees in this industry with a quality career. It is also a challenging, interesting field to be in. And, for those who enjoy having the latest technology at hand and need to have the latest version of the iPhone when it comes out, the automotive industry can offer a lot of opportunities to be on the cutting edge.
“I do think that we’re definitely on the right track. I think it takes a lot of different sides of the industry to come together, the education side, the solutions side, everything is going to come together to build a more attractive industry, and that will shorten the gap,” states Barr. “We have to stay on top of adopting new solutions. If we get complacent and just think, “I don’t need to do anything for a couple of years,” a lot can happen in a couple of years. He also notes, “And eventually once those kids understand it and they got a good grip on it, they’re familiar with it, they’re going to be training the next generation.”
For those who are able to adapt and can take on that learning curve, there is real opportunity in the automotive industry. To close the gap in staffing challenges, it becomes critical for companies in all sectors to put in place training programs that open the door to the next generation, showing them what this industry has to offer in a tech-dominated world. It is more advanced and on the cutting edge than ever before.
