The automotive industry faces a significant shortage of qualified technicians. While landing a spot on a race car pit crew is highly competitive, dealerships nationwide are actively seeking skilled automotive technicians, offering salaries ranging from $30,000 to over $70,000, depending on experience and location.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a need for 35,000 new technicians annually. To address this demand and challenge outdated perceptions, initiatives like the No. 29 Goodwrench Expertise Challenge aim to raise awareness and support training programs.
“The stereotype of automotive technicians as having a dirty, dead-end job is outdated,” says Peter Lord, former executive director, GM Service Operations. “Modern vehicles are highly sophisticated, with computer technology far exceeding that of the Apollo missions.”
Dealerships prioritize trained technicians because customer satisfaction with service and repairs directly influences their overall perception of the dealership and the vehicle brand. The Goodwrench Expertise Challenge tied racing success to technician training.
The Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES), founded in 1995 by former GM Chairman Jack Smith, is a non-profit partnership creating automotive career opportunities for young individuals. Students in GM Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) programs combine classroom learning with hands-on internships at GM dealerships. These programs are available at numerous schools across the US, Canada and even China.
Graduates earn an associate’s degree and often achieve ASE certification, demonstrating their expertise. Over 2,000 students are currently enrolled, with over 14,000 graduates to date.