Negativity is hurting this industry and it's timesomeone called attention to it. It needs to stop!
I was talking to a technician the other day who, completely unsolicited, sighed and offered the following observation: “Man, this industry sucks!” He slipped it in toward the end of our conversation, as if this is how he regularly wraps up phone calls. “This industry sucks.”
There is a lot of negativity in this industry. I hear it all the time and, quite frankly, it is hurting out industry. It damages our reputation and makes it harder to recruit new talent. It needs to stop.
Now, I know that negativity in the workforce is nothing new. Millionaire hockey stars and Hollywood actors will whine about their lot in life, given half a chance. It's natural, I suppose. But it’s not healthy.
I was, for a while, the editor of a trade magazine for truck drivers, and I had to deal with a lot of negativity there too. I learned that the average wage for a truck driver in Canada is $34,000 a year. That's about $34,000 a year too low, given what they have to put up with.
The negativity in that industry seems to be mixed with confusion about why their fortunes have fallen so dramatically. It wasn't that long ago that driving long haul was the ideal job for free-spirited mavericks with a taste for the open road. Now a lot of drivers feel like prisoners in their own cabs, captive to low wages, poor work conditions, and shifting societal values.
Well, I can tell you that some technicians feel trapped too. Trapped by stagnant wages, demanding customers, the rising cost of tooling up, the relentless need for skills upgrading, burdensome environmental laws, meddlesome governments, and a searing lack of respect from the general public.
But I also know there are technicians who love their jobs, love the industry, and love coming to work everyday. When I talk to them, I get energized. It is infectious.
In January, I met three technicians at the Worldpac training expo in California, who were like kids in a candy store. They made a big impression on me because they were excited about their jobs. They soaked up the training and couldn’t wait to get back home to put what they’d learned to use.
Perhaps even more surprising was the way they spoke about their bosses – the shop owners who had sent them for training. They never once used the term “ESO,” which apparently stands for “evil shop owner” and is frequently found on technician forums.
There was no grumbling or frustration. On the contrary, they all had stories that demonstrated the mutual respect that exists in their work places. All three had been asked to take over running the shop during personal crises in their boss’s lives. All three rose to the challenge and added some management skills to their resumes. These guys are not trapped or demoralized. They are not nay-sayers. They are true leaders in this industry. Thought leaders. Attitude leaders.
Every once in a while, when I’m talking to industry folks, we play the game, “If you could change one thing about this industry, what would it be.”
Truthfully? I would wish for rampant optimism among technicians. I would wish for positivity and confidence.
Think of all the cars out there that need to be maintained. Think of all the customers who rely on us to do what they cannot. Anyone with a head for mechanics and electronics will always be in high demand.
This industry has its challenges, and I’m as frustrated by the slow progress in dealing with them as anyone. But it doesn’t suck. Opportunities are everywhere. And the best way to find them is to start with a positive attitude. Otherwise you’re beaten before you even start.
Am I wrong? Tell me what you think. I welcome your feedback.
allan@canadiantechnician.ca
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Edited comments may appear in Canadian Technician magazine.
March 06, 2012 - MMARTEL3 says: “ Well said! But as I read the posts below I think it may be a long, long road to travel. ”
March 06, 2012 - Mike says: “ Allan,
I think you're right. I know many technicians who are stuck because they cannot pass the licensing exam. They may get tougher and tougher jobs as their experience increases but they never get the monetary rewards because of their certification. I for one LOVE going to work one or two days a week. The rest of the time I spend doing a bachelor's - in other words, I'm changing fields. A five day work week in a garage is too much. Too much dust, rain, snow, high temperatures and humidity, cancer causing agents etc. I think what sucks is the conditions. You named several and you were right- especially cost of tools. I think the industry will change in the near future. The industry will need a different style of person to diagnose, they will need engineers. Not many engineers will start off working for $13/hour in a dusty garage etc etc. Garages will become nicer places soon enough. As the vehicles progress, so will the employees. In this case though, I think the vehicles will dictate who gets to work on them. ”
March 06, 2012 - Anonymous says: “ I have been a lic. mechanic since 1976, and negativity will prevail if major changes do not take place. How can you justify encouraging youth to go into a trade that pays little, one where you have to know most all of the other trade skills ,(a union plumber makes $10 more/hr.) deal with PCB's,get NO respect, you are still expected to 'know it all', and are considered a 'ripoff artist'? The answer is a Motive Power Union, that would encompass trains, planes (trucks) and automobiles. NOTHING can run for long without us! When the wheels (literally) stop,& the economy tanks, maybe then the trade will get both proper wages and the respect we deserve! ”
March 06, 2012 - BobGreenwood says: “ I agree with Carlo at Sil's auto very much. "Successful shop owners breed positive technicians". The negativity from the industry is terrible and to overcome that takes a great deal of self-discipline. I'm a big believer that it is all about the customer/client's "experience" when in your shop. This attitude forces you to focus on the client and think "How can I make this persons experience in our shop exceptional today?" I'm also a big believer in this advice..."The Honest Truth?... If you are tired of some aspect of your life, do something about it or just shut up." My friend called that tough love.
Anything worthwhile is not always easy to achieve, but it is worth going after. Ignore the industry and focus on what YOU can control. I believe you CAN make a tremendous difference because this is the very best industry to be in........I truly believe that.
Bob Greenwood - Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Centre Ltd. ”
March 06, 2012 - CSABUCCO says: “ Thank You.
It is said - How you do anything is how you do everything.
Poor shop owners breed poor techs, groom poor apprentices. Successful shop owners bred poitive technicians and positive apprentices. We needs successful shops to flourish and those around them will have no way but to learn and get better or slowly die away. Those techs and apprentices will become motivated, charged up and see that there is a future. So many organizations - dental, medical,HVAC, engineering industries are now advertising in the media to break down the myths in their industries and begin to bridge the gap to the consumer and educate them.
carlo - sils auto ”
March 06, 2012 - RVANDOORNIK says: “ If only the people in the industry would look at what is so great about it and focus their energies in smiles and a postive outlook on the great work we do; then I believe the the perception of our industry will change to become positive and viewed with respect! Being positive brings a whole new outlook on life and work! It's great, our clients see it and love to come back, because the experience is always positive, no matter what brought them in! ”
March 06, 2012 - ALLNUTS^nobolts says: “ you are right allan, but it is truely tough. you know how the saying "glass half full/empty" goes, well i consider myself a "there is something in my glass" kinda guy. i think positivly every morning, and by the next day it's morning again. what wears a person down over that period of time maybe differant everyday. for me it's the uphill battle trying to keep others energized and positive.
i guess is few of us keep trying some of the positive will wear off ”
“ Well said! But as I read the posts below I think it may be a long, long road to travel. ”