How to find new auto technicians in New Hampshire

It can be hard to find new technicians for your shop. Implement these tips to help you create partnerships and build relationships to get access to up and coming technicians.

It’s no secret that nationally, and in New Hampshire, the demand for highly skilled auto technicians is greater than the supply.

Common question among NHADA members are:

“How do I get first dibs on future auto technicians?” and

“How do I get these highly skilled future workers into my shop?”

These boards generally consist of former students, currently employed auto technicians, employers and people who represent consumers’ interests. They serve in addition to school personnel who are responsible for running the programs. These leadership and advisory roles give you a voice and the satisfaction of giving back to programs that help sustain your business.

An even more effective way to get prospective auto technicians into your shop is to provide opportunities outside the classroom to auto tech students. Generally, consider job co-ops, extended learning opportunities and mentorships:

Job Co-Ops

These are degree programs through the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH). Built into the student’s schedule are paid positions, into which the student is placed, usually within a service department to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom and learn on the job alongside the most experienced automotive technicians NH has to offer.

Extended Learning Opportunities

These are high-school based programs in which, for the duration of a semester, students are placed in local shops for approximately 45 minutes to an hour once or twice a week to gain a basic overview of an industry and to obtain a familiarization with the real-world application of what is being learned in the classroom.

Mentorships

Mentors are assigned to students at both the high school and college level, and their level of engagement with the student can range from working one-on-one to teaching them the trade on a shop floor, to supervising the students in self-directed performance within the industry and providing guidance when necessary.

The benefits of providing these opportunities are obvious for the students, but they also provide you the opportunity to make a difference in a student’s education. You also benefit from the opportunity of having an extended job interview of a prospective applicant. This is truly a win-win scenario.

The nature of today’s labor market is such that job applicants now fundamentally interview their employers. These programs described above allow you to showcase the benefits of working at your shop.

Email or call Jessica Dade at 800-852-3372 for more ideas and information on how you can contribute and, in return, bring NH’s auto tech future into your shop.