Episode Description

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Wrench, we are joined by Eric Villa, CEO & Founder, Diesel Garage Foundation. Eric shares with us some of the biggest barriers he sees for young people looking to join this industry and become an automotive, collision, or diesel technician.

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Cost and Tool Barrier

  • Getting an education can come at a great cost. Cost is the biggest deterrent.
  • As a student, it’s important to take advantage of student discounts through tool companies.
  • Ensure new technicians are buying tools that will set them up for success down the road.
  • Don’t start off buying a fancy new tool box; buy the tools first. Then, once a collection of tools is built, buy the new tool box.
  • The cost of education can be a big burden. As a new technician, try not to add more debt with tool costs and create a budget/payment plan.

Education Barrier

  • It starts with getting the trades back in the schools. Schools are slowly getting rid of shop classes at the high school level.
  • Technicians can get in as an apprentice and do on-the-job training without the cost of a college degree.
  • Trades are constantly growing and the industry will always need people to join.
  • We need doctors and lawyers, but we need the trades too. Schools need to show students the need and success they can have in this field.

“Getting students enticed at a younger age from the high school side is a little bit more difficult because we’re missing the shop classes. We need to get shop classes back into the schools.”
Eric Villa, CEO & Founder, Diesel Garage Foundation

Show Notes

Resources:

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About Our Host:

Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:

Eric Villa
CEO & Founder, Diesel Garage Foundation
eric@dieselgaragemedia.com

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