OT-I need a well qualified mechanic!

[timeout]

I was in that trade for 15 years. Mostly engines, electrical, and diesel, but did pretty much anything. The second half of my career the shops always had a running ad and complained they couldn't find help. But when you asked for a raise, oh we just can't afford it. But when you put in your 2 weeks all of a sudden they could offer you a lot more. I worked at GM dealers. Anytime there was a good paying warranty job the time would get cut. No reason why, no new procedure to make the job go quicker. At least from my experience at dealers, they did everything they could to drive good mechanics away. Now they wonder why there are no new ones. Every apprentice I met, I told to get out before you start.

Dont get me wrong, the independent shops can do what they want and can have great work environments. But the dealers suck.

100% true and correct. I have been a mechanic at the very top of my trade. The pay totally sux for the knowledge and investment in tools it takes. As far as I can surmise plumbers and electricians are where it's at for a trade.

 

[Knotwild]

When I was in high school they kept saying that there will be a shortage of mechanics.
I went to trade high school. We went to class for a week and then shop for a week.
I got a very good trade.
The " government schools" have been teaching kids that they need to go to college.

There is a very bad shortage of all skilled trade workers.
The government needs to stop paying people to sit home and smoke weed and eat BonBons.

College is a racket. It wasn't promoted because it was good, it was promoted to take a kid's money and indebt him before he ever gets to go to work. You can often tell a racket because it involves debt.

People have been taught to make decisions on what they are told, NOT on what they figure out by looking at the facts.

 

[M-61]

I know, but where did they all go?

Good luck. Here’s an example:
Mercedes Benz of White Plains
Mechanic Wanted
Will training
At 6 months:
$10,000 dollar bonus

Not kidding. The sign is fading in the sun. Number of responses. Zero!
And that’s not my typo $10,000 is what it is

 

[M-61]

The mechanics around here get paid about 24 bucks an hour.

That’s crazy low to start with.
Dealership mechanics here all are on flat rate, with a 40 hour guarantee.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

College is a racket. It wasn't promoted because it was good, it was promoted to take a kid's money and indebt him before he ever gets to go to work. You can often tell a racket because it involves debt.

People have been taught to make decisions on what they are told, NOT on what they figure out by looking at the facts.

It has also become an elitist issue. People with degrees look down on those that don’t. Very sad and there are going to be offspring of them that have diplomas and no job market.

 

[AccelR8]

That’s crazy low to start with.
Dealership mechanics here all are on flat rate, with a 40 hour guarantee.

I just called a friend who knows, and I have to adjust my statement up a bit I'm a few years behind. Average tech, 55k/yr. This is not a dealership, it's for the big chains (Firestone, Goodyear, etc) that get the bulk of the auto repairs around here. And that's for the line tech, not the tire and lube techs who make less and not a master tech who makes a little bit, but not much, more. Dealer techs seem to be very much dissatisfied with their pay.

Most techs who do it long term have spouse that makes more money than they do.

 

[hoz53]

For me personally that would be best, but! I have a Son, Grandson, and mechanics that I worry about. My land and building have been paid off years ago.

sure looks clean inside that building--- id bring my truck there if i lived close

 

[Knotwild]

It has also become an elitist issue. People with degrees look down on those that don’t. Very sad and there are going to be offspring of them that have diplomas and no job market.

They look down until that HVAC tech shows up because their unit won't work, or the electrician when there's a problem.

I personally think the decision of whether college is necessary or not depends a lot on where the parents came from in life. In my area, I know of three self made from scratch millionaires with no college education. They did it with hard work and their parents were also not college educated.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

They look down until that HVAC tech shows up because their unit won't work, or the electrician when there's a problem.

I personally think the decision of whether college is necessary or not depends a lot on where the parents came from in life. In my area, I know of three self made from scratch millionaires with no college education. They did it with hard work and their parents were also not college educated.

Exactly, that’s why trade schools should come front and center as an option to college. This country needs a new mindset on this or we’re in trouble.

 

[moondog]

Was the Shop foreman at a Saab/VW dealer for 12 years. I opened my own place, but took on Audi too. I agree, good Techs are hard to find, and harder to keep. The really sharp ones start their own gig or specialized service. Loved it for many years. I built a very successful business and had the best customers. Raced 24hours Datona ,Sebring, and Laguna. Porsche GT3. Obsessed with cars and motorcycles all my life. I absolutely hated the direction the the industry was turning I'd gotten to the point I HATED most new cars, at least the ones we worked on. Quality and reliability have gone down hill fast! Sorry, but $1400 to get your auto dimming mirrors to work? Sorry, but the battery has to be programmed to shut the lite off. Sorry, your camshaft needs replacement because the high pressure pump chewed it up. Sold my business 7 years ago. All I want to do now is put gas in the car.

 

[Fast14riot]

Butch, I wish you the best. I have a hell of a time hiring even for entry level positions in a trade offering medical/dental/vision, 2 weeks vacation, 9 paid holidays, 401K, sick time, profit sharing, company paid HRA, and M-F 8-4:30 hours.

It might be worth checking out Mike Rowe foundation to see if they offer job placement for their grant recipients.

But, I forsee Gen-Z trade workers becoming the next wave of millionaires. With the shortage of skilled labor, all the college grad liberal arts degree types that never cared to learn how to fix their toilet or replace an outlet and need laborers will be primed to make a lot of money if they get their name on a shingle outside a shop. I'm really pushing my youngest toward this route. Who knows, I might even switch careers when he's ready.

 

[AccelR8]

Not to get too far off the subject but I've been working in a tool and die shop for the last 6-8 years. In the last three, they've had two guys retire and one retiring at the end of this year, and the "young guy" they hired at age 57 has stage 4 lung cancer. They simply cannot find any one, at any price.

 

[Steve Donlon]

It has also become an elitist issue. People with degrees look down on those that don’t. Very sad and there are going to be offspring of them that have diplomas and no job market.

Most of the young people I see around me are trust fund babies that have fake jobs supplied by there parents. The parents build another house on their property and turn them into airB&Bs to rent by the day to families traveling. $ 200+ a day. $30,000- $40,000 a year comes from that. And the other house they live in is paid off already. Or they build a rental house on their property. It seems we all have to help our kids one way or the other. Working in the trades is not what it used to be. Tech jobs are the ones that pay the most without killing yourself doing them. But sometimes it takes more than four years of college to get the knowledge. Mechanical engineer, or chemical engineer type jobs are more likely to make enough money or medical tech jobs. Then both parents work. American people don't want to do hard work anymore. So of course Spanish speaking people will do what we once did. I see more and more families all living together here in Flagstaff because everything costs so much. This place has really changed like many other places that rely on tourism now instead of ranching or other things besides tourism. I just talked to one of our sons that still live on the coast just north of San Diego and is a general contractor and said that Spanish speaking day labors get $200 aday and lunch now. It used to be $50 when I lived there.

 

[hogpatrol]

0




Shortage? Price/wage is to low. Surplus? Price/wage too high.
Economic 101.
Aside that, the military is sucking up the few that want to work and make something of themselves. My grandson signed on the dotted line six months ago, he's had to wait until January to finally go to basic at Lackland. His goal is CCT.

 

[brokeasajoke]

I wish some of you guys hiring were closer to me. Went to work at my part time job and worked an hour for free just to make sure the non dependable guy showed up beause our manager is a good one and she's having a rough time getting help. Been a industrial machine tech for a quarter century now for the full time job. I have 16 days vac left and probably won't take them. During the summer I mow yards after work to supplement income plus the part-time Saturday job. Training new young techs is something else. While teaching someone how to remove a broken bolt I had to explain that the drill bit makes a hole the size of the bit. After center punching the broken bolt and they began drilling they looked at me and said " the hole is getting bigger" I said yes honey a drill bit makes a hole the size of the bit. I asked one to grease the grease fittings and he wiped grease on them being serious not as a joke. Another took a ratchet and began turning click, click, click, click, click and said it's not turning the bolt. Is there a palm to the face emoji? Hey I do get an extra 10% to train though. Try to help friends and family out with automotive issues from my home garage. I think my friends and family either have excessive car repair needs or they are taking advantage of me lol.

 

[338 Mollett]

It might be time to get rid of the rat race and hang up the spikes !!

 

[makurtz]

I have in the last year lost 3 of my best mechanics that have been with me 30 years each. I'm glad that they were able to retire, but I sure miss them. I;ve been in business for over 45 years and we do domestic and Asian line work. We do no engine or transmission work. We are in Rowlett, Texas

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You may try looking into Joe Henry's Act Auto Staffing .

 

[moondog]

We got most of our techs from the dealer or relocating. Despite what you hear, Colorado is still highly desirable place to live. Offer more money, better perks. Never had much luck getting kids out of the trade schools.

 

[AccelR8]

Training new young techs is something else. While teaching someone how to remove a broken bolt I had to explain that the drill bit makes a hole the size of the bit. After center punching the broken bolt and they began drilling they looked at me and said " the hole is getting bigger" I said yes honey a drill bit makes a hole the size of the bit. I asked one to grease the grease fittings and he wiped grease on them being serious not as a joke. Another took a ratchet and began turning click, click, click, click, click and said it's not turning the bolt. Is there a palm to the face emoji?

Guys like me, when we were little we had dads that let us watch and help. We mowed grass and did chores. We had bicycles, minibikes, then dirt bikes and cars. Some or most of which we paid for with our own money. We knew how to use tools and understood basic mechanics and electricity. We had shop class.

Those things don't happen today.

 

[M-61]

I just called a friend who knows, and I have to adjust my statement up a bit I'm a few years behind. Average tech, 55k/yr. This is not a dealership, it's for the big chains (Firestone, Goodyear, etc) that get the bulk of the auto repairs around here. And that's for the line tech, not the tire and lube techs who make less and not a master tech who makes a little bit, but not much, more. Dealer techs seem to be very much dissatisfied with their pay.

Most techs who do it long term have spouse that makes more money than they do.

So you actually posted an hourly rate for “mechanics around here “ before you actually researched it.
Good thing the OP wasn’t looking for reloading information.