Amid a nationwide shortage of truck technicians and automotive mechanics, the fleet services division finds a way to keep and train enough vocational talent for long-term careers that meet maintenance demand.
According to an industry overview by Stertil-Koni, today’s technicians are demanding better working conditions in addition to higher pay.
Part and labor prices have increased 4-8%, while part and labor availability have decreased. Due to difficulties sourcing replacement vehicles, fleets are keeping units in service longer. This caused repair spend to increase in 2021.
The benefits of becoming involved with local trade schools run both ways.
Mercedes-Benz USA has developed a “mixed reality” automotive maintenance support system with Microsoft that is designed to allow onsite dealership technicians to work handsfree while sharing real-time views and sounds of vehicles being serviced while talking with Mercedes-Benz technical specialists.
One key reason for a current shortage of service technicians is the result of the flat-rate compensation plan, a contentious payment system that assigns standard times to complete a repair job. Many technicians assert that the flat-rate compensation plan under-compensates them in relation to other industries requiring similar skillsets.
A tech’s pay is determined by the type of job and whether they can complete the repair in less time than specified by the flat-rate, which will allow them to increase their work volume.
In a new report, the TechForce Foundation is predicting that demand for new vehicle technicians over the next ten years will be three times higher than was previously expected.
YourMechanic, a mobile car repair network, announced a new fleet product that connects mobile mechanics to fleet facilities. Contracted mechanics can fill in during times of work backlogs and during technician shortages.
The No. 1 factor is the ongoing high cost of fuel, in particular diesel, which is driving management demands to lower operating costs. Another huge factor that will influence fleets will be the 2010 diesel emission standards.
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