Auto Dealers Put Out 'Help Wanted' Sign

As Government Leaders Decry Jobless Recovery, Industry Seeks to Plug Major Labor Shortage by Targeting Returning Military, Students

MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 18 -- Today an all-out effort to attract returning military veterans and tech-savvy students to rewarding, high-paying automotive-related jobs was announced by Automotive Retailing Today, a group representing auto manufacturers and franchise dealers.

Addressing the nationwide shortage of auto service technicians by borrowing a Marine Corps recruiting slogan, James Willingham, chairman of Automotive Retailing Today (ART), said that auto dealers "are not just looking for a few good men ... and women. There are tens of thousands of unfilled career positions available right now." He also announced a new website with extensive career and training information.

Speaking before the February meeting of the Washington Automotive Press Association, Willingham said, "It's an employee's market in my industry. At a time when all of us are hearing a lot about a jobless recovery in our country, auto dealers are hanging out a big 'Help Wanted' sign. A key focus of the current presidential election cycle is on the urgent need to create more jobs that pay a living wage. Well, we've got them-lots of them. Now, we need qualified people to fill them."

Today's automotive service centers in established franchise new auto dealerships are intellectually challenging, requiring annual training courses to service the latest technology in the newest models. Pay and demand for these positions are high, which translates into high job security, opportunities for mobility and great benefits, including a comfortable, modern working environment, health insurance and retirement plan options.

A recent survey shows that a shortage of auto technicians continues nationwide. A majority of auto dealers say they need to hire at least one new technician in the next six months; the average number of new technicians needed is 2.1 per dealer. The study was conducted for Universal Technical Institute, a leading provider of service technician training and staffing solutions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has set the shortage at 35,000 annually through 2010.

ART is using two recruitment strategies. The first, Hire the Heroes, attracts military veterans by linking automobile dealers with separating members of the armed forces in order to tap into a rich talent pool of skilled workers. It also provides veterans with easy access to good jobs to ease the transition to civilian life. Dealers are being encouraged to contact military job placement websites to list job openings.

Second, ART has established a new online resource for military personnel, students and others interested in understanding the auto technician training requirements and career path. Designed in collaboration with the military and educational professionals, www.autojobstoday.org includes information about careers, salaries and available training, and it serves as a clearinghouse for the auto industry's service technician career program information.

At autojobstoday.org, job seekers can search for automotive training programs in their own state. Military veterans, as well as parents, educators and students, can enter the site through customized portal pages that feature shortcuts to information tailored to their backgrounds and interests.

Importantly, autojobstoday.org also links to job sources, including state and local dealer associations, auto manufacturers, and military and Department of Labor job banks.

Military personnel can translate their experience into credit towards the professional certification requirements for auto technicians. Their know-how and training often is accepted by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) as part of the hands-on work experience required for automotive technician certification. Plus, many recent veterans are eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits, including reimbursement for the cost of taking ASE certification tests. This is an attractive benefit for veterans and dealers alike.

Automotive Retailing Today is a coalition that includes all major automobile manufacturers and dealer organizations. It works to promote better understanding of the industry and build stronger customer relationships.

(1) Nationwide survey conducted by WirthlinWorldwide via telephone from November 7-13, 2003 on behalf of Universal Technical Institute. The survey polled senior management and owners of 150 auto dealerships.

NOTE TO EDITORS: High and low resolution screen captures from the new website are available at ART's website, www.autoretailing.org