Jonathan Hernandez got a degree in auto repair from LA Trade Technical College, but he is on his way to become a professional tattoo artist. Why? "I can complete a tattoo in less than 3 hours and earn $300 for it. It is easy money". But is there a shortage of tattoo artists? Also, does that job entail working around or for some suspicious people? On top of this, why not remain in an industry where you are actually needed? Jonathan learned auto repair so he could fix his car if it ever broke down. He is just 23 years old.
The Problem
The entire generation has grown up playing playstations, engaging in social media, and visiting clubs, unlike the previous generation who use to play with their car's engine in their garage and some catch with a baseball. There is lack of interest and enthusiasm. Tomorrow's generation wants to drive fast and cool cars but they are not interested in what is going on under the hood.
Auto shops are now worried about the future of the industry when the current batch of engineers and mechanics grow old. There is no fresh new wave of talent around the corner. Auto dealers are currently fighting hard to retain their current stock of talented engineers in fear of losing them. This is incredible in the age of a recession that does not want to end because of high taxes and irrational regulations.
Jobs cannot be Outsourced
Technology has changed the way repair work is conducted these days. Laptops and computers are being used more and more even in day to day repair works. The problem is that you cannot outsource repair work like organizations are outsourcing data related projects to Asian countries.
"We're finding we're going to run short of technicians in the very near future," says Rich Orbain, manager for General Motors' Service Technical College. "It's already getting very difficult to get young people interested in this as a career."
Automobile education institutes say that there are a lot of misconceptions about the profession. Bureau of Labor Statistics say that the overall demand for auto repair mechanics and engineers grew by 17% from 2010 to 2020 adding a total of 124,800 new jobs making a total of 848,200. The problem is that the average earning of an auto technician is about $35,790, and only 10% of them are able to break the $50,000 barrier.
But at least you have some job security unlike working a sales job for a company sitting in a cubicle that you should know is not going to last that long.
The Demand
There is a suitable demand for master mechanics. High school graduates can easily get jobs for handling odd stuff like changing engine oil or changing tires. The need is for highly trained and experienced engineers who can make decisions and get things done.
Earlier, repairing a car meant having mechanical and hardware knowledge; however, today it entails mathematical aptitude and electronics knowledge. There are computers with micro-processors that are running your car underneath the dashboard that you cannot see.
A survey points out that the average age of mechanics at big automobile companies like Ford are pegged at 40 plus. An entire generation is aging with no new blood to take over the helm. Automobile companies are looking to replace them but there is shortage of talent and interest. Too many kids would rather spend $100,000 on a liberal arts degree and then end up serving someone coffee and joining goofy groups like OWS rather than making smarter decisions and seeking noble work.
In the early days, when there was no social media, teens used to drive over to each other's place. In the 1980s, 87% of the teens got their driving license before they turned 19, but now that figure has dropped to 70%. What happens if you have to drive a car to save you or someone else’s life? Moreover, teens no longer feel the need to drive when they can chat and connect online and spend thousands of dollars on degrees they do not need and no employer wants.
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