Felipe Maldonado is an automotive technician in a Houston dealership’s service department. He says training and mentoring programs are key pieces to attracting and maintaining young technicians into the field.
Motor Age is partnering with TechForce Foundation to share profiles and perspectives of young automotive technicians who are in the early days of their careers.
"I started working as an automotive technician intern after graduating from high school in 2022. Now that I’ve completed my vocational program and worked as a flat-rate tech for close to two years, I see some improvements that can be made for the industry.
Read more profiles of young technicians in this series:
"First, I want to highlight one key challenge I faced as a technician working at a dealership. To quote Toyota master technician Ahmed from the Car Care Nut YouTube channel, dealerships are ”an organized chaos.” From firsthand experience, I share that sentiment. If there is one improvement that would support both new and experienced technicians, it would be to change the system of how a franchise dealership operates so that there is better teamwork and coordination.
"I have seen training programs and on-site training benefit aspiring technicians and help them get into this industry successfully. Non-profit organizations like TechForce are also helping young technicians prosper."
Training for the industry’s future
"Time and time again, I’ve heard from my instructors and peers that vehicles are getting more complicated, with more sensors, actuators, and electrical harnesses with each new model.
"Training is one thing that the industry is doing right. I believe it prepares technicians, both experienced and new, to learn about new technologies in vehicles today. I also realize that the automotive industry is more than just dealerships. It’s also independent mom-and-pop shops, fleet dealers, and municipal government service centers. As a technician, I believe that with the proper training, shops all across the industry will be able to deal with new technologies."
Attracting and mentoring automotive technicians
"My high school automotive instructor has been the most influential individual in my automotive journey. The reason I am a technician today is because my instructor sparked my interest in automotive repair.
"As a technician, my advice for employers seeking talent is to be enthusiastic about what you do: first impressions always matter when a technician is looking for a potential life career.
"Also, create an environment and system that benefits them as well. If the technicians feel like they’re being treated and compensated fairly, it's a win/win for both the technician and employer."
"First, I want to highlight one key challenge I faced as a technician working at a dealership. To quote Toyota master technician Ahmed from the Car Care Nut YouTube channel, dealerships are ”an organized chaos.” From firsthand experience, I share that sentiment. If there is one improvement that would support both new and experienced technicians, it would be to change the system of how a franchise dealership operates so that there is better teamwork and coordination.
"I have seen training programs and on-site training benefit aspiring technicians and help them get into this industry successfully. Non-profit organizations like TechForce are also helping young technicians prosper."
Training for the industry’s future
"Time and time again, I’ve heard from my instructors and peers that vehicles are getting more complicated, with more sensors, actuators, and electrical harnesses with each new model.
"Training is one thing that the industry is doing right. I believe it prepares technicians, both experienced and new, to learn about new technologies in vehicles today. I also realize that the automotive industry is more than just dealerships. It’s also independent mom-and-pop shops, fleet dealers, and municipal government service centers. As a technician, I believe that with the proper training, shops all across the industry will be able to deal with new technologies."
Attracting and mentoring automotive technicians
"My high school automotive instructor has been the most influential individual in my automotive journey. The reason I am a technician today is because my instructor sparked my interest in automotive repair.
"As a technician, my advice for employers seeking talent is to be enthusiastic about what you do: first impressions always matter when a technician is looking for a potential life career.
"Also, create an environment and system that benefits them as well. If the technicians feel like they’re being treated and compensated fairly, it's a win/win for both the technician and employer."
