Technician Problem at Ford
Ford’s CEO reported that the company’s dealerships are facing an acute shortage of technicians. Despite annual salaries of up to $120,000, the company has approximately 5,000 job openings remaining. Jim Farley noted that this problem is part of a larger trend that could have serious consequences.
High Workload Due to Recalls
Due to 134 recalls and a constantly growing number, Ford’s service centers are operating at maximum capacity. Such intensive work is likely deterring potential workers, despite the attractive pay conditions.
Company Executive’s Statement
Jim Farley expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation during his participation in the Office Hours: Business Edition podcast. He emphasized that the company offers high salaries that are almost double the national average of $63,795 per year. However, this isn’t helping to fill the thousands of vacant positions.
He added that removing the diesel engine from the Super Duty pickup requires high qualifications, and “you need to know what you’re doing.”
Profession Complexity and Training
Although the job is well-paid, it requires significant experience. Farley noted that mastering the profession requires about five years of training. Furthermore, he emphasized that the shortage of qualified workers extends beyond just the automotive industry.
Broader Context of the Problem
According to Farley, the country has over a million job openings in critical sectors, including emergency services, freight transportation, manufacturing, plumbing, and electrical work. He also pointed to insufficient support for vocational-technical education and investments in future generations.
He added: “God forbid if we get into a war, because Google won’t be able to produce the planes and tanks we need.”
Statistics and Forecasts
According to the New York Post, the US lacks approximately 37,000 trained technicians annually. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts an average of 67,800 job openings for automotive technicians and mechanics each year until 2033. These professions are likely to be protected from the impact of artificial intelligence that threatens many industries.
Consequences for Customers
The technician shortage is already leading to repair delays and dissatisfied customers. For example, one author mentioned that his car sat for a long time at a Jeep dealership due to staff shortages when technicians were being shifted between different branches.
This situation indicates a systemic problem in training qualified personnel that could affect not only the automotive industry but the economy as a whole. The growing demand for technical specialists requires more active efforts from educational institutions and businesses to attract youth to these fields. Investments in vocational education and enhancing the prestige of skilled trades could be key to overcoming this crisis.