In Canada’s auto capital, repair shops say skilled technicians are nearly impossible to find

Recruiting a licensed auto technician in Canada’s automotive capital is so difficult that at least one company has been approved to hire a temporary foreign worker for the position.

Peter Solly, owner of Macdonald’s Auto Repair and Maintenance, has looked at that option, but instead offered $20,000 in signing bonuses to get new technicians hired.

But he still can’t get qualified, dependable people hired. 

“It’s hard to believe actually, it really is, but that’s what we’re faced with today,” said Solly, who wants to hire two technicians.

Despite having the country’s highest unemployment rate at 11.2 per cent, repair shops in Windsor say that hiring auto technicians is nearly impossible.

“There’s been a crisis, a shortage for technicians for quite a while in North America,” said Solly, who is booking weeks out for appointments.

There are 2,500 auto technician vacancies in Ontario right now and about 6,800 across the country, according to Statistics Canada.

There have been 673 applications to hire a temporary foreign worker at hundreds of repair shops across Canada.

Association says curriculum needs updating

It’s a problem playing out in repair shops across Ontario, according to industry groups, which have suggested that schools need to encourage the trade as a viable career option earlier to students. 

“We’re noticing a lack of skill or lack of ability,” said Scott Jennings, co-chair of the Windsor Automotive Professional Repair Association.

He said the association has a good relationship with the high schools and college in Windsor, with a focus on getting people properly trained. 

“The problem with that though is it’s not the college’s fault, per se, because they’re mandated to follow the curriculum, which hasn’t been updated for some 10 or 12 years,” said Jennings.

“I understand it’s being worked on. It just takes way too long.”

Glenn Willis, an automotive tech for nearly 50 years, said there’s a generation of people looking to retire in the industry, and that will only add to the labour shortage. 

“We’re in the baby boomer group and we’re all starting to get tired. This trade does wear on you,” said Willis. 

As current techs retire, Solly points to the emphasis on certain career paths in the past as part of the current problem. 

“Fifteen years ago, it was like, ‘Go to school, get a degree, get a criminology degree, get a bachelor of arts, get a master’s degree in something and then you’ll get a job,'” said Solly.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way. These kids graduate, and they can’t find a job and they’re working at Walmart stocking shelves. And it’s very frustrating. And the blue collar wasn’t promoted so much back then, but now an educated person in the blue collar can make a lot of money.”

Repair shop owner says labour shortage ‘mind boggling’ 

Jennings helps run an annual skills competition for high school students interested in a career as an automotive technician and has noticed there’s not as much interest in the trade.

But he said there’s big money to be made for people who are eager to learn. 

“If you’re a good skilled technician, you can almost name the price that you want to get paid.” 

Solly said he has technicians who make between $100,000 and $150,000 a year.

“People don’t believe it, but it’s the truth. It’s mind boggling for me sometimes when they just don’t seem to see it.”

Solly said that with higher costs of living, he’s noticed people are bringing in aging vehicles trying to get some extra miles. 

One barrier to getting into the trades is the cost of tools, which can run up to $100,000. 

Solly suggested there are people who have long been retired and have tools collecting dust that they might want to sell to someone who wants to keep the industry going.

“People are almost gonna be, like, pleading to get their car fixed.”