Hiring Mechanics is not an easy task, Finding Good Mechanics to Hire can sometimes feel like looking for Unicorns. The best ones are rarely available and the ones that are available are not often the best. Below we will tackle why this is the case and what can be done about it.
If you are having a hard time finding Mechanics give Rockstar Mechanics a Call (1-833-762-5787) or visit our site to see why we are your best solution for hiring mechanics.
There Are More Jobs Available Than Mechanics
If you ever feel like there is just not enough mechanics out there you are right. This is due to a number of different factors.
Firstly there are not enough people getting into the trade. There was a real push during the late 90’s and 2000’s to get high school kids to go to University after graduation. Most High Schools were encouraging kids to get into business or finance and did not push the skilled trades at all. This left a lot of kids thinking that to be successful I need to go to University or College even though many of them would have been much happier at a trade school.
Secondly there are a lot of experienced mechanics that are retiring, have retired or will be retiring soon. The baby boomers are retiring and there is not enough techs trained to replace them. The mechanic trade is very hard on the body and it is rare that a tech can work on the shop floor for 30+ years without suffering knee or back injuries.
Thirdly the trade is a lot more complicated than it ever has been before. There was a time when all a mechanic needed was some wrenches but now if they are not experienced with at least one if not several diagnostic programs they are going to be lost.
Everything on a vehicle from engines, electrical, electronics, fuel systems etc. are all way more complicated than ever and with the move towards electric vehicles this is only going to continue. There was a time when just about anyone could get into the trade but now you really need someone who is dedicated to the trade and takes ongoing training.
Good Mechanics Aren’t Available
Most employers already know that there are not enough mechanics out there so when they get someone in the shop they do everything they can to keep them. Retaining a mechanic is just as important as recruiting mechanics and if you treat them right they will help you with your recruiting by referring more mechanics to you.
Some things that employers do to retain mechanics:
- Offer higher wages
- Better Benefits
- Bonuses
- Provide clean, well equipped shop
- Provide tools or a tool allowance
- Take safety seriously
- Provide ongoing training, send them to OEM/Factory training
- Have team events or team meals, employees that feel they are part of team are more likely to stay
One client that I worked with buys season tickets for their hometown NBA team and those tickets are only available to mechanics. They divide the games evenly between the techs and each one gets to go to about 2 games a season. In the summer they also get a luxury box at a baseball game just for the mechanics.
I am not sure how the rest of the staff feels about this but it helps them keep their mechanics.
Mechanics Don’t Typically Live Online
If you are looking for a sales person or an executive just head to LinkedIn, they are all hanging out there. If you need an IT Person there are tons of forums and websites that they live on but there is not a real spot for Mechanics to congregate. There are a number of sites that have tried to be the ‘facebook’ for Mechanics but it has not really caught on, mostly because when a Mechanic puts in a 10 hour day slinging wrenches the last thing they want to do is come home and chat online about mechanics. They would, like most of us, rather head home and binge watch something on netflix or watch a game.
As there is not a one stop place for mechanics to hang out online it is hard to know where to find them. You don’t want to sink a bunch of money into advertising on Twitter only to find out that your audience isn’t really there.
Solutions?
Your best solution if you are trying to hire a mechanic is to use a dedicated recruiter, Rockstar Mechanics is that solution. We have a team of recruiters who spend all day everyday on the phone with mechanics, networking, gaining referrals and selling your opportunity. You don’t have 8 hours a day to spend searching for a Mechanic, you have a business to run. Focus on what you do best and outsource the rest. Give us a call at 1-833-762-5787 or visit www.rockstarmechanics.com to get started!
