The phrase “technician shortage” pops up in nearly every fixed ops meeting these days. But what if the answer isn’t out there on the job boards, but right inside your dealership?
According to Jason Becknell at CBT News, Tom Wood Auto has taken a bold approach: they’re not just searching for techs—they’re growing their own by launching an in-house university.
Beyond Posting Jobs: Training from Within
Most stores respond to staffing shortages by doubling down on recruitment. Tom Wood Auto flipped the script. By creating their own technician training program, they’re building a sustainable pipeline of skilled team members. This isn’t just about filling seats—it's about developing techs who know your processes, your culture, and your standards from day one.
The Payoff of Early Investment
It takes time and effort to train someone from scratch. But the payoff is big: more loyalty, fewer hiring headaches, and employees who truly get your way of doing business. Plus, by providing education, you make your dealership more attractive to career-minded people who want to grow, not just punch the clock.
Try This Week
- Review your technician onboarding process—could some steps be turned into a repeatable training module?
- Identify a promising employee (even outside the shop) and offer them a path toward service training.
- Connect with a local technical school to explore partnerships for future talent.
Inspired by "How Tom Wood Auto is fixing the technician shortage by running its own university" (Jason Becknell, CBT News). Read the original article.