The issue of the number of technicians needed for our service and repair market is one that generates plenty of discussion. Some in our industry proclaim that there is a technician shortage of approximately 100,000. Others will argue that there is no shortage of techs at all.

In his Mitch’s World column, our own Mitch Schneider takes a look at the tech shortage concern, and provides another piece to the employment puzzle — the issue of pay discrepancy between our industry and other blue-collar jobs.

But whichever side of the fence you sit on the tech shortage issue, there is one thing that most shop owners will agree — that there is a good chance that, for whatever reason, they will need to hire a technician or other shop staff personnel down the road.

And we understand that the issue of hiring a new employee can be a royal pain. You don’t want to just grab someone off the street. You’ve built too important of a reputation with your customers to have it ruined by someone who forgets to reinstall an oil filter after an oil change.

You want to hire a professional who understands automotive service and likes what they do.

Which is why staff at Underhood Service is ready to help those shop owners who are looking to hire an entry-level technician, mechanic, parts delivery person or other staff member at their shop. All you need to do is e-mail us your shop name, city and state, contact information (phone, fax, e-mail address, etc.) and the job requirements to [email protected] and we will run your “help wanted” ad for FREE on our Career Board — a new job search service housed on the redesigned Tomorrow’s Technician website — www.tomorrowstechnician.com.

The Tomorrow’s Technician website is operated in conjunction with Tomorrow’s Technician magazine, a business-to-school publication that is delivered eight times a year to more than 47,000 students enrolled in automotive service and repair classes in NATEF-certified schools across the country. So these students not only have been instructed in automotive service, but they enjoy what they do. And many of these students (both high school and post-secondary schools) are looking to begin their career in the exciting field of automotive service now — in both part-time and full-time positions.

As a subscriber of Underhood Service magazine, we encourage you to use this free employment search service when looking to hire new personnel.

For more information on the Career Board, visit www.tomorrowstechnician.com or e-mail me at [email protected].