June marks National Automotive Service Professionals Month—a time to tip our hats to the wizards who keep our rides running smoothly. 🧑🔧
For the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association (LADA), it’s a significant time to talk about the severe shortage of skilled technicians. Older workers are retiring, and it’s become a struggle to replace them.
According to reports, the auto industry will need approximately 80K more service technicians between now and the end of 2023. Only about 37K new service professionals graduate from technical schools each year.
We may not be great with math, but we’re pretty sure that doesn’t add up so good. 🤔
That’s why the LADA launched a pilot program in partnership with the NADA Foundation, the National Urban League, and the Urban League of Louisiana to tackle this pressing issue.
Spanning 18 months, their paid apprenticeship program provides students with training, financial literacy, and industry knowledge. LADA has worked to recruit women and minorities into the program to promote more inclusivity within the trade. 💞