Mark Gilbert and other trainers are painfully aware that the most pressing problem in the industry is the on-going shortage of competent employees, especially in the service department. However, some groups are already trying to think of ways to address the issue.
According to some groups, one good way of retaining employees like competent technicians is to make sure that they are well taken care of, and a robust healthcare program is the answer. One such group, the Asbury Automotive Group, says that aside from paying for health insurance, the company also adds other employee incentives as a way to attract potential techs.
Meanwhile, Mark Gilbert also observes that different approaches are also being made by others to position trainees as for-lifers in the industry. Among other things, some dealerships are now offering four-day workweek and a healthy work-life balance to entice young technicians to stay.
The National Automobile Dealers Association estimates that new-vehicle showrooms employ an average of 16 techs per store. However, most of these employees leave their jobs and switch careers every year, which equals high attrition rates.
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