Challenges Future Techs are Facing and How Shops Can Help

Shops shouldn’t be judging students based on the school they attend, but rather the work they can do

Mount Horeb, Wis.—Cindy Barlow, director of Industry Relations at WyoTech, recently discussed challenges students are experiencing, the importance of professionalism, how shops can help new techs, and more on WrenchWays’ “Beyond the Wrench with Jay Goninen” podcast.

The full episode can be viewed here. The following are highlights and takeaways:

Challenges Students are Experiencing

Students are overwhelmed because the need for technicians is so high, and they don’t know which shop is going to be the best choice.
Students are drawn to shops where they will be paid more because they have debt and tend to not look at other factors.
The industry is working against itself. Shop costs are going up, and if one shop sets a higher wage level, the neighbor down the road will hear and feel the need to as well.

The Importance of Professionalism

After receiving a job offer that they decide they aren’t going to take, students need to do a better job of communicating with shops and learn how to professionally decline a job offer without ghosting them.
Students need to be educated on pay structure, insurance, and retirement plans. These are most likely new and confusing topics for them and something they should be educated on before accepting a job.
Shops should paint a career path for new technicians. Students will know exactly what they are getting into.
Students need to learn how to communicate professionally with shops and bring back the basics of how to shake a hand.

Progress in the Industry

Shops are starting to get involved in schools more with donations. (Donations include monetary, parts, tools, etc.)
Some shops are giving back to the new techs they hire with tuition reimbursement programs if the tech works in their shop for a certain amount of time.
Industry partners are reaching out to WyoTech and other schools because they are wanting to hire its students.

How Shops Can Help New Techs

It’s all about relationships and how you make people feel. New technicians need to know that the shops believe in them.
Hire the person, not the school. Shops shouldn’t be judging students based on the school they attend, but rather the work they can do.
Ensure you are finding the right student to fit into the shop. You want a tech that is going to fit in with the company culture.
Set expectations of the shop immediately. Then, students won’t be surprised on what it’s like in the shop on their first day of work.