TechForce Report Reveals Shortage Of Vehicle Technicians Continues to Worsen 

TechForce Report Reveals Shortage Of Vehicle Technicians Continues to Worsen 

An overall gap in supply and demand of new entrant transportation technicians continues to grow despite slight uptick in diesel certifications. 

TechForce Foundation has released a Transportation Technician Supply & Demand Report updating its “Transportation Technician Supply” and “Transportation Technician Demand” reports for 2018, which reveals the transportation technician shortage continues to worsen.

The Technician Supply & Demand Report supplements the previous reports, adjusting prior projections to reflect newly published research from the National Center for Education Statistics and TechForce’s own analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Citing both increasing demand for professional techs and a declining supply of new techs entering the industry, the update concludes that the technician shortage is increasing in severity despite industry efforts to organize around the issue and a slight uptick in new post-secondary degrees and certificates for future diesel technicians.

“The technician shortage is not a new problem,” said TechForce Director of National Initiatives Greg Settle, who co-authored the report with Doug Young, managing director of Wilcap LLC. “However, close monitoring of actual industry demand, as well as available supply, is critical to better understanding exactly what we are up against.”

The original Technician Demand and Technician Supply reports, published in 2017 and 2018 respectively, found that the estimated demand for “new entrant” vehicle technicians was more than triple previous estimates, and that post-secondary supply of new entrant vehicle technicians has not kept up with the spike in demand. The Technician Supply & Demand Report update shows that these trends have continued, further increasing the scope and impact of the technician shortage.

“While the shortage continues to worsen, the good news is the transportation industry is organizing to do something about it,” said Jennifer Maher, TechForce CEO. “TechForce Foundation’s FutureTech Success campaign is leveraging the industry’s collective voice to inspire the next generation of technicians and address the root causes of the shortage.”

You can request the Technician Supply & Demand Report along with the original Technician Demand and Supply Reports here.

You can also learn more about TechForce’s FutureTech Success campaign at futuretechsuccess.org.

You May Also Like

Auto Care Voices Support for FTC, DOJ Comments on Right to Repair

The agencies asserted that renewing and expanding repair-related exemptions would promote competition in markets for replacement parts, repair and maintenance services.

bill hanvey right to repair

The Auto Care Association is voicing its support for recent comments from the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice advocating for regulations that would allow consumers and businesses to repair their own products.

In their comment to the U.S. Copyright Office, the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division asserted that renewing and expanding repair-related exemptions would promote competition in markets for replacement parts, repair and maintenance services, as well as facilitate competition in markets for repairable products.

BendPak Launches Fusion ‘All-in-One’ Portal for Dealers

The new portal streamlines product research, ordering and marketing, and offers up-to-the-minute product availability and pricing.

Vehlo Acquires Shop Management Software, Shop-Ware

Shop-Ware is a cloud-based shop management platform catering to independent automotive aftermarket repair shops.

Vehlo Acquires Shop Management Software, Shop-Ware
Valvoline Celebrates Female Service Center Employees

Valvoline is launching a social media campaign led by its female experts who are sharing automotive preventive maintenance tips to promote accessible vehicle care for all.

TechForce Announces Winners of Techs Rock Awards

Misael Rodriguez and Dustin Thomas are the grand-prize winners.

Techs Rock Awards

Other Posts

TechForce Announces Techs Rock Awards Grand Prize Winners

TechForce Foundation has announced Misael Rodriguez of Ben Davis High School and Dustin Thomas of CarMax as grand prize winners in the 6th annual Techs Rock Awards.

ISN Expands Freedom Program for Mobile Tool Dealers

ISN’s Freedom Program is designed to provide experienced, successful mobile tool dealers with support to become an independent mobile dealer and expand their growth.

Freedom Program
Franchise Times Recognizes Take 5 Oil Change

Take 5 was recognized as the winner in the “Road Warriors” category of the Zor Awards.

Sun Auto Continues Growth in Houston

The winner of a Ford Bronco Sport giveaway was named as part of Sun Auto’s plans to invest in the community and show appreciation to its customers.

Sun Auto Continues Growth in Houston