Pub. 59 2018-2019 Issue 3

12 We're confident we have the most efficient vehicle distribution system in the world! Today, the challenge is what goes on in our house. Our future depends on our ability to recruit, train, and retain the best people. PEOPLE ARE as core to our business as the products we sell. Having a well-trained workforce — from the vehicle purchasing experience to those servicing our cars and trucks. THAT is what's going to make or break our industry. Our people are the ONLY irreplaceable variable in the equation. I'd like to tell you about my Service Director, Jimmy Ogle . Jimmy's been with me for 22 years. He started out as a Service Technician…then he advanced from Service Advisor to ServiceManager…to Service Director. Like so many people in our service departments, he is dedicated and passionate. He gives our customers his all and that's why they come back again and again. We need more 'Jimmys', throughout our industry. Jimmy I'm so happy to have you here with me today, could you please stand so the people can see you? And the issue now is that we are seeing a dangerous shortage of technicians at our dealerships! Did you know our industry will need 76,000more service technicians EACH YEAR between now and 2026??? That's 46,000 new jobs… That's replacing 30,000 retirees…But only around 37,000 new techs are graduating each year from technical schools… That's a shortage of 39,000 technicians per year! This is not a 'can' that we can afford to kick down the road. So, let's get the message out NOW : Dealership jobs are rewarding. They're challenging. And hey, they pay well! Tech jobs at dealerships average $61,000 per year with benefits. Some of the best paid people in my dealerships are service technicians. So, let me ask you: How many out there need techs? Can you please raise your hand if you would hire a trained service tech today? Cameras, please make sure to catch this! Do you see this America? These are business owners RIGHT HERE — FROM YOUR HOME STATE — Who want to hire you for a great career! It's waiting for you! Careers where you can train and grow…and have opportunities for advancement. Remember my Ser v ice Director, Jimmy? Well, today Jimmy's son Jimbo is an intern with us! He is excellent and he's learning so much about this business. Like father like son, right? We need more Jimbo's in our dealerships! From Alaska, to here in California… to cities as large as New York City…to communities as small as West, Texas. Getting our workforce in line WILL be a challenge. And I did ask you to challenge us at NADA… Well, we won't back down from this one . I'm happy to announce today: The NADA Foundation is launching our own "Work force Initiative" to promote the benefits of dealership jobs to local communities, and we're targeting technicians to get them through our doors. Why??? Well, our OEM partners are trying to recruit techs too, but Bless em'. Toyota is trying to recruit Toyota techs… Ford's trying to recruit Ford techs… Chrysler's trying to recruit MOPAR techs. Now, suppose you live in a town with a training center. But if you end up on the wrong website, the OEM might ignore the program because they're not affiliated. Everyone is ignoring everyone else's program. The same with us dealers. You can't blame us for being competitors. But our goal isn't to recruit Toyota techs, Ford techs, etc. We just want to recruit and train techs to ensure that every training facility in America is filled to capacity with eager students. And then let the dealers fight over the best of them!  NADA ANNUAL CONVENTION — CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11