PHOENIX — TechForce Foundation has launched "Techs Talk," a survey designed to uncover insights into the perspectives, values and experiences of aspiring technician students and new working technicians.
The results of this study will enable industry, schools and employers to adapt strategies to meet the evolving needs and desires of this up-and-coming workforce, TechForce said.
"Most technician surveys in the marketplace today are heavily skewed by responses from GenX and Boomers," TechForce CEO Jennifer Maher said.
"TechForce Foundation wants specifically to gather insights from GenZ future techs and new working techs within their first two years of employment. This gives us better data in building the workforce going forward, and knowledge to address the crippling technician shortage."
Demand for top-tier technicians has created three job openings for every tech school graduate today, according to TechForce, a nonprofit geared to encouraging students to seek careers in the automotive service industry.
Despite the demand, many young people hesitate to commit to technician careers or quit being a tech after just a few years of employment.
"We hear anecdotal reasons ranging from the cost of training and tools, a desire for certain compensation or work/life balance, to stigmas or lack of clarity involving the career path. It's time we have solid data as to what this aspiring workforce truly wants and needs," Maher said.
TechForce is encouraging all working technicians within their first two years of employment and all high school and post-secondary students enrolled in automotive, aviation, collision, diesel, restoration, welding and other related programs to take the survey and share their opinions.
The survey, hosted by TechForce Foundation in partnership with Endeavor Business Intelligence, an independent market research firm, is designed to collect both quantitative and qualitative latitudinal data.
The survey is anonymous so that participants are free to be transparent when sharing their voices, TechForce said. Results will be shared publicly, when available.
To take the survey, see TechForce.org/Survey.
