In the long run, the problem could be a lot worse than not being able to fix cars. What happens when the number of technical workers has dropped so low that we can’t keep running our civilization?

Between the government and the insurance companies, it doesn’t seem worthwhile for a lot of young people to bother with our trade. Our public schools don’t do much to encourage them either.
When we are lucky enough to get an apprentice, what’s the first thing we do? Set him to cleaning the shop for the next three years! What else can we give the kids to do? After all, you can’t fix cars without the right tools.

Uphill Battle
For most apprentices, getting those tools is an uphill battle. Say you’re a young person, passionate about cars, and you’re good with your hands. Painting and bodywork look interesting to you, so you put in some serious   effort in lining up a position that will allow you to learn your new trade.

Then you discover that you’re making nine bucks an hour and the basic tools you need cost about $5000. Assuming the government doesn’t take any money for taxes (they will) and that you don’t need to spend any money on luxuries like food, shelter and basic needs (you do), you should have enough money saved up in a little under four months. A more realistic scenario would be that you managed to save up the money in two or three years. Two or three years of sweeping floors.

Here’s an idea that I’m going to give away gratis. Next time you’ve got apprentices in your shop, take some time to get to know them. If you think they’ve got a real vocation and a passion for our trade, then you can offer them a deal.

Tell the apprentice that you will provide them with basic tools. When they ask what the catch is, whip out a contract that basically says that they will work for you for at least five years. If they serve out their hitch, the tools are theirs to keep.

Most of this column is directed to my fellow repairers. But I’d like to point out something for the readers in the insurance business. Do you want to know the best way to encourage people to get into our trade? Stop dangling the carrot and pay more to techs. They’re underpaid and tired of it.

If those rates don’t go up, everywhere in Canada will be like the west coast, with huge wait times because there isn’t anyone to do the work. Pay now or pay later. The choice is yours.

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