In recognition of National Skilled Trades Day, celebrated the first Wednesday in May each year, General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales is thanking the more than 40,000 auto technicians across its dealerships. GM is committed to helping GM dealerships both retain its current skilled auto technicians and recruit future talent through education and opportunities for a successful career in the industry.
“There is a national shortage of qualified technicians due in part to a misconception of a career in the skilled trades,” said John Roth, GM global vice president, Customer Care and Aftersales. “Today’s technician role has evolved into a highly technical career which continues to be redefined as the industry undergoes one of the largest transformations to date. Today on National Skilled Trades Day, we want to express our appreciation for the expertise and excellence of all General Motors technicians.”
With the desire to recognize its skilled auto technicians throughout the year, CCA launched its GM Technician Excellence Program in January 2022. This year-round program recognizes dealership technicians who continue expanding their knowledge through a mix of virtual and hands-on training. By meeting set training criteria, they can work toward different levels of certification and may be eligible for quarterly rewards. Additionally, new technicians completing their first year with a GM dealership are eligible for a gift card to put toward new tools to support their career growth.
In the program’s first quarter, 70% of all dealership technicians enrolled in the program and more than 9,000 auto technicians qualified for a reward across three certification levels. Additionally, nearly 300 new technicians entered GM and should receive their gift card on their one-year anniversary.
In addition to helping support current technicians, GM is also committed to building the pipeline. Each year, the number of skilled talent entering the industry declines, and the National Automotive Dealers Association estimates the shortage will increase 900% by 2031.
“We want to show future talent that becoming a technician is a rewarding and inspiring career path,” said Roth. “To increase consideration of a career in the industry, our ‘Bring Us Your Talent’ marketing campaign unveiled a video series today which highlights the advanced technological career opportunities available, as well as the opportunity to become part of General Motors’ mobility transformation in vehicles and other future platforms.”
The video series highlights three segments, which combat the stigma of entering a trade. It also addresses and demonstrates:
- How affordable and accessible an education is through two years of training at a GM Automotive Service Education Program
- The highly technical skills needed to work on today’s vehicles such as the new all-electric Cadillac LYRIQ1
- How skilled trades can become more than a job and result in a rewarding and lifelong career
The “Bring Us Your Talent” campaign will continue to roll out additional content throughout the year.