Doesn anyone else (in Michigan) have a problem with high mechanic turnover and misdiagnosis?

[saeengineer]

I do see that most shops in MIchigan have a problem with turnover and those that do always seem to have a problem replacing them.

In the shops with the lowest turnovers it is interesting that their techs seem to be very highly trained.  Usually an AS from a college and they also are consistantly doing training on their own or with the shop’s help.

When I was a fixed ops manager, and needed techs I would constantly ask myself where do the best techs hang out and go there with business cards in hand.  It worked out well.  Training seminars, college career days, and now online forms that allow you to contact the participants would be my first suggestions.

[joecval]

Dennis,

We have had more turnover with staff than I would like in my 9 years of business, but looking at resumes as we hire it seems to be trending that a lot of techs will stay the longest at there first place of employment and then shorter duration at the next place(s) I wish I could share some great tips for finding a good mechanic, but really I have found that patience pays off and just being thorough in the interview process. I tend to focus more on attitude, desire and overall how they will fit into our team. I am not expecting perfect but I do want to see techs as well as other staff progress and get better and have made it a point to support and encourage this growth with paying for training. Even if the tech isn’t where you want him to be now – can you train him to get there? An employee that needs cash advances may be a red flag that they lack financial discipline. If you need a great diagnostic tech it may mean stepping up and paying him and/or offering a work place environment that makes him WANT to work for you. 

[Richard Zaagman]

We have some turn over, but certainly not every few months.  If you are loosing techs that are NOT that good?  I’d look at your business culture and practices.  We work hard at keeping customers but treat our employees poorly or expect them to work in poor conditions.

If you are not attracting techs that are worth keeping, the same applies only even more important.  I’m not saying you give them the world, but your business needs to be profitable enough to pay them a good wage equivalent to your area.

[clarkscarcare]

Allow techs to feel some ownership in the layout of the shop.  Let them discuss/decide what goes where-after all, its their work environment not yours.  This makes them feel ownership/participation in the business.  Has worked good for us and many other shops.  Sorta like they helped build the place so they will take care of and stay longer.

   If  bad attitude/work-then work on your hiring practices.  Look how they dress, how do they take care of their own car, what are their outside hobbies, drive past their personal house and that will help give an idea what sorta of person you want representing you.

[lortech]

Mechanical troubleshooting is the easy part. OBD and electrical more difficult. Do what a shop did and hire a consumer electronics technician. He thought just like me. HE must be like me, a Rare Myers Briggs personality type INTJ personality. We are 3% of the general population “technicians and Scientist” who can think analytically based on theory. I cannot tell you how many times I have come behind a auto mechanic to find the real reason why the car could not start and get it running.

Having  good theory how the vehicles systems works is also important.

The employee needs to have long terms of employment if he is to stick around your shop.

Have a clean shop, clean mechanics suits, and make the mechanic feel welcome. Get to know the mechanics kids by name. Empower the mechanic with A SENSE of ownership of the garage.

A tech with a cheerful, positive, communicative attitude is some one you want to hire.

[Alan Ollie]

The hardest thing about owning a shop finding great techs.Pay is not the problem in my shop just getting quality people to apply is almost impossible. .