Recruit and retain 47 www.aftermarketonline.net JULY/AUGUST 2025 Workplace culture also plays a major role. Respect, flexibility, and reducing unnecessary admin are surprisingly effective at keeping staff satisfied. The little things often make the biggest difference. According to the survey, working hours are now the most important factor for technicians across all age groups — more than pay. Flexibility, fewer weekends, and better holiday allowances were consistently rated as top priorities. Garages willing to listen and adapt to these expectations are more likely to hold onto their workforce. Reimagine workforce models for today’s reality Long-term workforce planning is vital, but garages must also deal with immediate pressures. Skills shortages are leaving workshops underresourced, reducing capacity, delaying repairs, and impacting customer satisfaction. Strategic use of temporary technicians can help fill gaps and keep operations running smoothly. It’s not about firefighting — it’s about building resilience. With every empty bay potentially costing thousands per month, using flexible labour to maintain productivity is often the smarter financial decision. But this is also an opportunity to rethink what the future workforce could look like. The pandemic permanently shifted workplace expectations. Today, many skilled professionals are looking for part-time roles, more autonomy, or seasonal work. Semi-retired technicians, for example, want to stay active but avoid full-time hours. Others seek a better work-life balance. Embracing flexible working models and building long-term relationships with skilled, part-time professionals enables businesses to retain experience without long-term overhead, while establishing a more resilient staffing approach that addresses current pressures and future demands. Technology can make a difference Technology isn’t just about vehicle diagnostics anymore; it’s also becoming a tool for recruitment and retention. For example, tools like assisted reality headsets allow technicians to access remote expert guidance or repair data hands-free. That not only improves efficiency but can reduce the pressure on less experienced staff and help them learn on the job. Technology can also help retain older technicians in the industry for longer — as mentors or remote experts — and make life easier for neurodiverse workers or those who find paperwork a barrier. Automating admin tasks can free them up to focus on what they’re great at: fixing cars. Think ahead and act now The best garages don’t just find good people, they build them. That requires a shift in mindset: from firefighting staffing problems to building a longterm workforce strategy. Mentor the new, develop the experienced, plan for peaks and embrace a more flexible way of working. Because the workshops that thrive in the next decade will be the ones that don’t just adapt to vehicle technology — but to the changing needs of the people who work on them. Creating structured support for new technicians is essential to build confidence and secure long-term retention Assisted reality headsets enable real-time support and help upskill technicians in the flow of work
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