A group of new car dealers in California have teamed up with an automotive apprenticeship program to help address a critical issue in the business—the shortage of technicians.
The details: The California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) Foundation is partnering with Automotive Apprenticeship Group (AAG) to focus on helping to train a new generation of technicians and match them with California auto dealerships for employment.
The two-year program includes in-depth training and instruction, and is targeted at people 18 to 30 years old who have chosen not to attend college.
Skill development includes on-the-job training at local dealerships—with discovery-based e-learning, and hands-on technical training and practice.
Each apprentice is supported by a dedicated AAG career manager who provides guidance and support during the program.
After finishing the program, apprentices receive a national certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. The program provides all apprentices with the tools and computer equipment they need.
What they’re saying: "Our apprenticeship program will connect career-minded people – such as recent high school graduates or those currently working in unrewarding jobs – with opportunity to work in a field where motivated, skilled people are sorely needed,” said Kim McPhaul, President of the CNCDA Foundation.
Why it matters: When dealers can't staff their service bays adequately, they can lose the recurring revenue that often determines their financial success. The ongoing auto technician shortfall likely represents millions in lost annual revenue across the dealer network, making workforce development programs key to preserving dealer profitability.
Between the lines: The shortage of qualified technicians at dealerships has become a growing concern in recent years—after a decline in employment between 2018 and 2020 amid the growing complexity of vehicles that need to be serviced.
The organization TechForce projects that between 2024 and 2028, the industry will need over 471,000 new automotive techs.
A CNCDA survey indicates that there is a statewide shortage of about 5,000 technicians among California dealerships.
"The shortage of technicians hurts our customers. When my customers are unable to operate their vehicle due to wait times for service appointments, their life and business is negatively affected. Ultimately, it negatively affects our economy in California,” stated K.C. Heidler, President and CEO of Tom’s Truck Center and Foundation Chairman of the CNCDA.
Bottom line: As vehicles become more complex and require specialized diagnostic skills, the gap between available technicians and service demand will only widen. But rather than competing for existing techs in a shrinking labor pool, forward-thinking dealers are creating their own pipeline of qualified workers.
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