- Ford’s CEO has revealed dealerships don’t have enough technicians.
- There are 5,000 openings despite salaries of up to $120,000 annually.
- Jim Farley said it’s part of a larger problem that has serious implications.
With 134 recalls and counting, Ford service centers have been humming with activity. Given the work load, it’s not surprising that some people don’t seem interested in working for the Blue Oval.
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That’s annoying Ford CEO Jim Farley, who complained about the problem on the Office Hours: Business Edition podcast. In a wide ranging interview, the executive revealed they have 5,000 openings for mechanics.
More: Your Car Repair Could Take A Lot Longer Because Auto Shops Are Struggling To Find Mechanics
That’s a lot of positions, but they’re having trouble filling them despite dealerships offering up to $120,000 annually. That’s nearly twice the national average salary of $63,795.
While the money’s good, the work is hard and the executive noted it takes five years of learning. He added taking a diesel engine out of a Super Duty pickup takes a lot of skill and “you need to know what you’re doing.”
Farley said the lack of essential workers is a big problem and we’re not talking about it enough. He went on to note this extends far beyond dealership techs as there are “over a million openings in critical jobs, emergency services, trucking, factory workers, plumbers, electricians and tradesmen.”
More: Ford’s Jim Farley Was “Shocked” After Tearing Down Chinese And Tesla EVs
He went on to claim we don’t have trade schools and we’re not investing enough in the next-generation. He added, ‘God forbid we get in a war, because Google’s not going to be able to make the planes and tanks we need.’
The New York Post noted there’s a shortfall of around 37,000 trained technicians annually and the Bureau of Labor Statistics “projects an average of 67,800 openings for automotive service technicians and mechanics each year through 2033.” That’s a lot and these jobs would likely be protected from the AI revolution, which is expected to impact a number of industries.
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The lack of technicians is already causing problems as it means slower repairs and angry customers. Just a few months ago, my own vehicle was stuck at a Jeep dealership for weeks as they were apparently bouncing techs between various dealerships to deal with a lack of employees.
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