Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss, and 360 Payments Brad Updegraff discusses the pressing shortage of skilled technicians in the automotive industry. Brad shares strategies for training and developing technicians, and the importance of creating strong relationships with local schools. Additionally, he emphasizes the significance of flexible compensation plans and support for aspiring technicians. Brad Updegraff, Dave’s Ultimate Automotive, 6 locations, Austin, TX. Brad's previous episodes HERE. Show Notes

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• Industry Challenges (00:00:34) Discussion on the nationwide technician shortage and the impact of the growing electric vehicle market.
• Creating a Technician Pipeline (00:01:08) Brad reflects on the long-term strategies dealerships have implemented to develop their technician workforce.
• Personal Experience as an Intern (00:02:08) Brad shares his early experiences in the automotive industry and the challenges he faced as an intern.
• Strategies for Training Technicians (00:02:34) Exploration of effective strategies for training technicians, emphasizing building relationships with local schools.
• NAPA Apprenticeship Program (00:03:11) Overview of the NAPA apprenticeship program and its effectiveness in developing new technicians.
• Case Study: A Young Trainee (00:04:04) Brad discusses a specific trainee's experience, highlighting the importance of pairing her with a skilled technician.
• Adapting Training Approaches (00:05:01) Challenges faced during the training program lead to a need for more flexible and adaptable training methods.
• Identifying Natural Leaders (00:05:47) Importance of recognizing natural leaders among technicians to foster a supportive training environment.
• Compensation Structures (00:07:30) Discussion on compensation plans and how to ensure they are attractive to both new and experienced technicians.
• Selecting the Right Trainees (00:08:33) Brad emphasizes the importance of carefully selecting trainees based on their interest and potential.
• Encouraging Continuous Improvement (00:09:34) Encouraging technicians to seek growth and development opportunities within the company.
• Value of Training for Students (00:10:17) Highlighting the need for trainees to understand the importance of continuous education and training.
• Compensation and Incentive Plans (00:11:05) Brad discusses innovative compensation structures to attract and retain skilled technicians.
• Tool Accessibility for Technicians (00:12:01) Addressing the lack of tools as a barrier for entry-level technicians and proposing solutions.
• Flag Rate Compensation Model (00:12:58) Explanation of a flag multiplier system designed to support both green and experienced technicians in learning.
• Compensation Structure for Technicians (00:14:04) Discussion on the importance of a well-structured compensation plan for technicians and foreman roles.
• Challenges of Foreman Role (00:15:00) Exploring the difficulties faced by foreman roles during poor traffic times in the shop.
• Impact on Profit Margins (00:15:49) Analyzing how technician training impacts overall shop output and profit margins.
• Tool Acquisition Programs (00:16:43) Overview of programs designed to help technicians acquire necessary tools through structured payments.
• Supporting Local High Schools (00:18:25) Strategies for building relationships with high schools to support automotive education programs.
• Enhancing Automotive Education (00:19:23) Discussing the benefits of donating equipment to schools to improve their automotive programs.
• Creating a Pipeline of Talent (00:20:14) Importance of engaging high school students to prepare them for careers in the automotive industry.
• Selling the Automotive Career (00:21:09) Encouraging technicians to share their career stories to attract high school students to the industry.
• Engagement with Students (00:21:57) The significance of actively participating in career fairs and building relationships with students.
• Closing Thoughts on Future Technicians (00:22:48) Emphasizing the responsibility of the industry to nurture future technicians and change lives.

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