When looking for a new position or job, what is the most important factor that you look for?
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When looking for a new position or job, what is the most important factor that you look for?
View full poll questionHey Technicians! What’s your favorite vehicle to work on?
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Great review for Sales & Leasing Consultant; Nick Wade.
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What are some fun activities you like to do in the fall?
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Food Truck time to celebrate some special events! One tech celebrated 36 years of being here at Tom Wood Toyota. Another tech reported a first known issue found to Toyota and was awarded a special medallion.
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Air Tools or Electric tools?
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Minnesota roads can be unbearable in the snow, but this winter car workshop could be a game-changer for new drivers
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Happy anniversary to our Shipping & Receiving Clerk; Sam Lynch
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Great review for Service Advisor; Michael Manns!
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🎉 C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S 🎉 Congratulations to Garrett for being our BEAST of the week.
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If you could work on cars from any era, which would you choose?
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What's the most satisfying part of being an automotive technician?
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Thank you to everyone that joined us for the PenFed Racing Simulator Challenge on August 30-31. It was a pleasure to host Sabré Cook and showcase the Porsche GT3 Cup racecar while enjoying time with our amazing community and team. We hope you had a great time meeting Sabré, testing your skills in the racing simulator, and joining the scenic rally drive.
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Junior Technician, James, replacing a drive shaft on a 2022 Tiguan.
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Does your shop have a documented career development path for technicians?
I think a lot of Techs are in the same boat as you, Russell. I'd like to get into the weeds a bit more on this topic. From a Techs perspective, what do you think is the best way of going about career development. Is it as simple as saying in "x" amount of years, you'll be in "x" position if you accomplish the goals you come up with? At times, I think the hardest part for both the management team and the Tech is coming up with what position they are aiming for. I've sat down with Techs who were adamant that they wanted to be a Service Manager, Advisor or even a GM. Quite a few of them hated it once they got there. It creates a weird dynamic where they want to go back to doing what they had once done but won't because it feels like a demotion. We recently had Lindsey Trett on a podcast and I loved her thoughts on this. She takes her Techs and has them job shadow other positions over the course of their career so they can see what they other jobs actually do. I think it gives Techs a different perspective so they can shoot for what they'd truly like to do. With that being said, I'm curious as to what you'd like to do after you're done wrenching. I really enjoy these types of conversations because I feel like it drives more understanding for both sides.
Technician
I have a bachelors degree and was a working shop foreman for a while. I went back to only working on cars and have made more money with less stress other than being bombarded with work. I can’t find another job that pays more than turning wrenches. Not even a field service engineer.
Technician
I went from tech to service manager to tech for the same reason I almost make twice as much as a tech
This makes me think of multiple things at once. Part of this issue is a larger social issue. Working any job until retirement age can be daunting. Many people feel trapped no matter what job you have. Finding a job that inspires you and makes you happy on most days is the key. Being a shop owner I have struggled with this as well, some days can be tough. The good days need to outshine the bad. The other dynamic is the limited positions available in an auto repair shop. Managers, Service advisors and Technicians are the main roles. I have experienced some technician become good Service Advisors but not many. A successful Service Advisor is a very upbeat people person, otherwise it will not last. Many technicians are happier in the shop behind the scenes. Working at a clean, professional, busy shop that pays appropriately is what can make the difference. The technician must feel appreciated and proud of themselves. They are the experts that perform the work that keeps all the customers on the road. Its an excellent career choice, and its just getting better due to the demand!
This is incredibly good and honest insight, Gabe. The line about having the good days outshine the bad is so on point for any job. Your second paragraph really hit home with me. It is so important for all of us to understand what our strengths and weaknesses are. When you have a clear understanding, you can own them. Took me a long time to understand that part early in my career. Great advice, my friend!
Our brand has a strong pathway to gain certification. We simply piggyback on that and give timeline expectations and pay rate tiers that go along with the certs. Starts at the Lube Tech level and carries on through the highest ranking techs with yearly new model and technology training courses both online and in person. If a tech has aspirations outside of the line then they can commit time to learning a specific role. Spots like parts counter, service drive even if they want to venture to sales they can. More roles in this business you can get familiar with the more valuable you become.
Our brand has a strong pathway to gain certification. We simply piggyback on that and give timeline expectations and pay rate tiers that go along with the certs. Starts at the Lube Tech level and carries on through the highest ranking techs with yearly new model and technology training courses both online and in person. If a tech has aspirations outside of the line then they can commit time to learning a specific role. Spots like parts counter, service drive even if they want to venture to sales they can. More roles in this business you can get familiar with the more valuable you become.
Our brand has a strong pathway to gain certification. We simply piggyback on that and give timeline expectations and pay rate tiers that go along with the certs. Starts at the Lube Tech level and carries on through the highest ranking techs with yearly new model and technology training courses both online and in person. If a tech has aspirations outside of the line then they can commit time to learning a specific role. Spots like parts counter, service drive even if they want to venture to sales they can. More roles in this business you can get familiar with the more valuable you become.
From what I've seen service advisor make almost double the pay of even the top technician but don't have money invested in school, training or tools with 2 weeks learning the system. Sales is even more money for even less work but as a tech I make the business to much money to allow me anything else until I die (because of no retirement plan)
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