TeaBreak: Memoirs of a Motor Mechanic sponsored by 58 www.aftermarketonline.net SEPTEMBER 2024 Getting the next generation of technicians on the road It’s a tough old world out there right now businesswise. I’ve just come back from the summer holidays with a decent tan and raring to go, but there’s still a lot of gloom around out there. I read a report from the IMI during the break which said there are still around 20,000 vacancies in the automotive sector and that we garages and the like still have a lot more to do to attract new blood into the industry. That’s why we should be encouraging the younger generation in particular and if they show an interest in getting into the business, we’ve got to do whatever we can to support them — even if there is a risk of them moving on once they’ve got more experience under their toolbelt! Of course, I’ve only got one apprentice, Jay. As regular readers will know, Arthur Parkit Motors is a relatively modest outfit — ‘small but perfectly formed’ the wife once said. But for some reason, when I suggested using that phrase in some flyers for the business at my marketing workshop with the local chamber of commerce, they did not think it was such a good idea. Anyhow, during our summer holiday my thoughts drifted back to when I got started in this business. I’m originally from the West Midlands and I was lucky enough to get a foot on the ladder in the Morris Commercial days. I ended up doing my training with a firm called Colmore Depot, for those of you who will admit to going back that far! Apprenticeships in those days, back in the 60s, literally seemed to be the best route into any number of careers. I left school with some good exam results and had already set my heart on getting into the garage business. I’d always loved tinkering around on the family motor with dad, so I kind of knew I wanted to do that for a living. It was the ‘old man’ that helped to get me my apprenticeship through a friend of a friend. It was the ideal start for me, although it’s much easier today, despite the skills shortage we keep hearing about. If you were not a fast learner then you did not last long. There were none of the other learning and training opportunities that are around today. I was talking about this to the guys from Garage Services Online (GSO) recently. I’ve already asked them about helping me to upgrade our website and I’m letting Jay take the lead on that because, as I’ve mentioned here before, he really shows a talent for technology and has some great ideas for using it to promote the business. He’s proving to be a real asset in the workshop and I’ve been talking to GSO about ideas for further training support too. I have also had a brainwave and decided on some executive action: I’m thinking of surprising him by putting us forward for next year’s Top Technician and Top Garage competitions. But before that, I’ve raided the kitty and I’m treating Jay and Mrs P to a night out… at next month’s Top Technician & Top Garage awards evening. I think it will give the lad a real boost and who knows, motivate him to try and bring home an award for us at some point in the future. Hope to see you there!
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