Sept. 6, 2022—Automotive professionals in Wisconsin are sharing their perspectives on the technician shortage.
According to Spectrum News 1, Paul Sanfelippo of Sanfelippo Auto Repair in Walker's Point, Wisconsin, has dedicated decades to this profession.
He told Spectrum News 1 that advancements in vehicle technology have shifted the industry. He said that technician shortages are a result of competitive wages and generations of technicians moving towards retirement. He also said that education is important for today's techs.
Steve Herro of the Milwaukee Area Technical College Drive Program told Spectrum News 1 that many young people are not getting exposed to the trade. He said this is due to the lack of equipment available at high schools and less people choosing to work on their vehicles at home versus taking them in to a shop for repairs.
On a more encouraging note, Herro said there is increased technician enrollment for the programs at MATC. Sanfelippo said that he uses education as a tool to recruit technicians. He told Spectrum News 1 that if someone has a willingness to show up and do work at his shop, there is a greater motivation to train that person and potentially sponsor their education.
