It’s no secret that there is a shortage of skilled labor in the automotive industry. Walk into any shop or dealership across the country and they’ll tell you how difficult it is to find technicians and keep their service department staffed. 

The neverending struggle for talent makes it more important than ever for shops to build a bench of talent across all departments. Waiting until you need to fill a position is too late, often leading to rushed hiring decisions and disruptions in your shop’s business operations.

One great, and often underutilized way for shops and dealerships to build a steady stream of candidates is by working with local schools.

Benefits of Educational Partnerships

While working with schools may not lead to an immediate hire like traditional recruiting, it’s a great way to drive a pipeline of young talent to your shop. 

When shops and dealerships partner with local educators, everyone wins:

• Young people get more exposure to the automotive industry.
• Shops build awareness for themselves as an employer and as a business that supports their local community.
• Instructors improve their curriculum, attracting more students and better preparing students for industry.

6 Tips for Building Educational Partnerships

Connecting with instructors is easy, but it can feel overwhelming and time consuming. Here are some tips for getting started:

1. Use staff directories to find contact information.

To find school contacts, begin with a simple Google search for schools near you. Most schools have a staff directory on their website where you can find phone numbers and emails of instructors. 

When searching, focus on job titles such as Automotive Instructor, Tech Ed Instructor, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator, and even Guidance Counselor. 

Don't limit your search to only schools with an automotive program. Smaller, rural schools that may not have an auto program often still have a significant number of students interested in the industry but lack funding for such programs.

3. Leave a message or send an email.

Getting a hold of instructors can be tricky during the school year due to teaching hours, but most instructors have a free period when they check their email and voicemail messages, so shops can reach out anytime. Once you do connect with an instructor, ask them when the best time to reach them is and make a note of it.

4. Have ideas in mind for how you can offer support.

Oftentimes, instructors want help from shops but aren’t sure exactly what they need. Come prepared to the conversation with ideas on how your shop can assist.

5. Celebrate the partnership wherever you can.

When successes happen and you make a donation or hire a student, be sure to post about it on social media to make some noise. Not only will your customers appreciate your support of local schools, but potential candidates like to see this community involvement as well.

6. Streamline school outreach through WrenchWay.

WrenchWay works with over 850 schools across the country. On their School Assist platform, instructors post program updates and requests for support and resources. Shops can reach out directly on the platform to offer assistance. Access to School Assist is included as a part of WrenchWay’s Top Shop memberships which include more tools to help shops attract technicians and other shop staff.

15+ Ways Shops Can Help Schools

Starting early with high school or even middle school-age students is very important. Don’t wait until graduation day and call up an instructor to ask for their top students. Get involved early and stay active throughout the entire school year.

Not sure how you can help? Schools are facing a shortage of instructors and tight budgets, so they are in need of help now more than ever. There are many ways your shop can help support their programs. Here are some examples::

Donations - New or Used

• Vehicles
• Parts
• Equipment
• Tools
• Supplies (i.e., shop glasses, towels, shirts, gloves, etc.)

Industry Education

• Shop tours (In person or virtual)
• Career day events & fairs
• Mock interviews
• Class speakers (i.e., demonstration, industry opportunities, etc.)
• Advisory committee member
• Manufacturer resource access

Work-Based Learning Opportunities

• Job Shadows
• Internships/Apprenticeships
• Part-time work
• Mentorships

Nurturing Future Techs: Why Partnering with Schools Matters

In an industry where finding and retaining skilled talent for your service department is a constant challenge, proactive engagement with local schools is a forward-thinking approach that ensures a sustainable and well-prepared talent pool for the future.

Investing in the next generation of automotive professionals, shops not only secures their own future success but also contributes to the overall growth and advancement of the industry.