Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • BEST PLACES TO WORK
  • News
    • HUMANITARIAN
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
    • OBITUARIES
    • OPINION
    • MID YEAR REPORT
    • SERVICE ZONE
  • ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Resources
    • Events
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • AWARDS
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Best Places to Work
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
July 03, 2018 02:00 AM

TechForce: Gap continues to widen between number of postsecondary grads, job openings

Tire Business Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    TechForce found that the ongoing shortage of new entrant technicians became more severe in 2013 and the gap between supply and demand has continued to increase through the present.

    SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The postsecondary school supply of new entrant vehicle technicians has not kept up with the spike in demand, according to a TechForce Foundation report.

    Based on an analysis of National Center for Education Statistics' 2011-2016 data, TechForce found that the ongoing shortage of new entrant technicians became more severe in 2013 and the gap between supply and demand has continued to increase through the present.

    New entrant technicians are those needed to fill the growth in new positions in the occupation as well as replace those who leave the occupation. They are distinguished from experienced technicians who may move between employers but don't add to the overall trained workforce in the occupation.

    The report noted that auto tech postsecondary completions have been declining since 2013. The supply of postsecondary auto graduates decreased by 1,829 completions in 2016, compare with 2012.

    There were an estimated 38,829 graduates for 2016 in contrast to the projected Bureau of Labor Statistics new entrant demand of 75,900, according to the report. Private sector institutions have experienced the greatest decline while public two-year institutions (primarily community colleges) have increased substantially.

    @TechForceFound Twitter image

    "Our country and education system have divested in high school auto shops and stigmatized trade school education which is killing the trades," said Jennifer Maher, TechForce CEO and executive director.

    "A big part of the problem is the outdated image of the 'grease monkey' mechanic that students and their parents, teachers and counselors may have. Today's techs are well paid, highly skilled, hands-on problem solvers who are not burdened by massive school debt like their four-year school counterparts. As we change this image we can get more students interested in becoming technicians."

    Doug Young, co-author of the report and managing director of Wilcap L.L.C., said, "Changing perceptions will require building a pipeline into the industry — before parents and students have committed to 'college for all,' before students have decided that they aren't interested in STEM subjects in high school, and before the old perceptions eliminate any interest among parents and career counselors in learning more about the opportunities in the transportation technician occupations."

    TechForce is a nonprofit organization that encourages students to consider careers as professional vehicle technicians. The foundation distributes more than $1.5 million in scholarships and grants annually with money donated by corporate sponsors and donors.

    "Without some form of focused, collective action, the transportation industry will continue to suffer from inadequately financed, fragmented efforts to solve these problems. A solution requires pooling resources and consistent public messaging to change perceptions and build a talent pipeline. TechForce Foundation is dedicated to providing the collective source of action to solve the root causes of the problem," Ms. Maher said.

    For more information, visit techforcefoundation.org.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Ice Blazer WSTX winter tire newest Sailun innovation
    2
    Canada Tire invests in WeeL vehicle service startup
    3
    Goodyear expands OTR tire lineup with 'Powerload'
    4
    Pirelli eyes extending Formula 1, 2, 3 racing contract
    5
    Hankook halts production at fire-damaged Korean tire plant
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • BEST PLACES TO WORK
    • News
      • HUMANITARIAN
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
      • OBITUARIES
      • OPINION
      • MID YEAR REPORT
      • SERVICE ZONE
    • ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Resources
      • Events
        • ASK THE EXPERT
        • LIVESTREAMS
        • WEBINARS
        • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
        • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION