We in the industry need to make clear what to expect once you're actually in the shop, as well as provide real guidance on the job. The students that come in with the right training need more real-life education and hands on experience, so mentorship is key. You need to really learn by doing things to be good at what we do. Technical school doesn't teach you everything—I always tell new hires to come in open minded, ready to learn and not think they know it all. Be ready to listen, pay attention, and, most importantly, learn.
Technician
If you're going to put a highly skilled technician up there with the skills of white collar engineers, etc., then you're going to have to pay them for those skills. I look at my nephew who is white collar. They get weeks off for Christmas, regular bonuses, advancement opportunities, right out of collage he started off at $80k yr and makes over a $150k now with way less hours worked, way more vacation/holiday/sick/personal days than any auto tech could ever make and works in a climate controlled setting daily and can still do his job easily when he'll someday be in his 60s compared to a 40 yr tech who's wages now suffer because his body is worn out and can't physically clock as many hours as he could when younger. Sadly happens to many older techs. (edited)
shawn Rutherford
shawn Rutherford
Technician
Pay needs to be more competitive from this industry, much easier ways to make money than wrenching.