One of the biggest challenges I face with running a service/sales business is finding people that can be trained to be good techs. In talking with other distributors, it's a very common situation. Does anyone know of a place to advertise for good and professional techs? I've tried all of the common places and just get average results, at best. Just recently hired someone that just graduated from a local tech school. His instructor highly recommended him. He doesn't even know how to use a voltmeter. My guess is that anyone with the talents to do this is working the oil fields and making six figure incomes. I talk to my competitors techs when I see them, but none of them have impressed me. In fact I get a lot of service customers because of them.
Where are the good techs?
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Greg Pack
Wash Weenie
I don't know what you pay but the better techs here make at least 40Kg, and we have a relatively low cost of living. I would say the people in the HVAC would probably be a good pool to try to attract. They know a little about 24V controls, motors, can usually sweat pipe, etc. But starting salary in HVAC is possibly higher than you are willing to pay.
mjwalsh
6 bay SS w/laundromat
Mac, cfcw & others,
My thoughts are similar to what I heard on a very fascinating interview that Charlie Rose had with Tom Friedman (Minnesota native) of the New York Times & Tom Brokaw (South Dakota native & semi retired media person) of where if I remember right they were together looking for educational solutions in America. Where there was common ground on this specific subject ... is where they gave examples of the difficulty of many companies & entrepreneurs finding the quality level of stainless steel welders & other similar technical expertise like you describe. They described it as an area that our educational system is "woefully" not keeping up like they could & should be.
mike walsh www.kingkoin.com
Earl Weiss
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I tell ying people to find a trade. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC people, carpenters and mechanics. Seems like most young people don't know which end of a screwdriver to use. All part of the do it for me generation.
Of course another burgeoning field will be hearing aids needed by all plugged in to loud headphones and inside cars with blaring radios.
Of course another burgeoning field will be hearing aids needed by all plugged in to loud headphones and inside cars with blaring radios.
cantbreak80
Maybe I need new clubs
We're out here...running our own Car Washes!
Robert2181
Member
A lot in society has become a throw away and buy a new one.
Earl I bought a long handle 1/2" ratchet for my son in law at Lowes before Christmas. There was no SKU number or sticker on it. He was trying to look it up on the computer to price it and said "What did you call this, a socket?" A 20 something year old boy didn't know.
robert roman
Bob Roman
“….challenge….is finding people that can be trained to be good techs.”
Instead, consider finding qualified technicians that can be trained on customer service skills.
In other words, don’t spend time and effort teaching people technical knowledge they should already possess.
This means determining the basic knowledge and skills a technician should possess to meet the minimum requirements of the job.
So, what are the major job requirements and what caliber of person is needed?
For example, an instrument repair technician may work on boilers, controls and amplifiers (low voltage), heating systems, reclaim, cooling towers, fuel delivery systems, etc. Many of these things are carwash related.
Position requires minimum of associate’s degree from certified technical school. Starting pay is around $50,000 to $60,000.
Does a certified automobile mechanic possess enough knowledge and skill to be a jack-of-all-trades as carwash technician?
Mechanics at auto dealerships earned “average” wage of around $45,000.
So, could you convince an auto mechanic to give up car dealership to work in carwash environment for $45,000?
It is a tough problem.
Instead, consider finding qualified technicians that can be trained on customer service skills.
In other words, don’t spend time and effort teaching people technical knowledge they should already possess.
This means determining the basic knowledge and skills a technician should possess to meet the minimum requirements of the job.
So, what are the major job requirements and what caliber of person is needed?
For example, an instrument repair technician may work on boilers, controls and amplifiers (low voltage), heating systems, reclaim, cooling towers, fuel delivery systems, etc. Many of these things are carwash related.
Position requires minimum of associate’s degree from certified technical school. Starting pay is around $50,000 to $60,000.
Does a certified automobile mechanic possess enough knowledge and skill to be a jack-of-all-trades as carwash technician?
Mechanics at auto dealerships earned “average” wage of around $45,000.
So, could you convince an auto mechanic to give up car dealership to work in carwash environment for $45,000?
It is a tough problem.
Earl Weiss
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I thought this figure strange because I know some union guys in Chicago.
See:
http://www.cata.info/new_4-year_deal_with_unionized_technicians_includes_3-year_pay_freeze/
They were guaranteed over $50k a year ( over $1000 a week for 34 hours work) in 2012. But that doesn't tell the story.
1. They get paid for more than 40 hours.
2. They get paid on what they "Book". Jobs are billed and paid by the time the book says it takes to do the job. My acquaintence tells me he books 40 hours in about 25 actual hours and weekly books and gets paid for lots more.
I don't see the on line stats accounting for that.
MEP001
Well-known member
The last time I went into a Radio Shack I was looking for a replacement transformer but I wasn't certain if that was the trouble. I asked if they had a voltmeter I could borrow to check it, and the kid behind the counter asked "What's a volt meter?"
tdlconceptsllc
Well-known member
I am a Refrigeration technician by trade and do scientific Refrigeration with a associates degree and the only young person in my area that can read a meter. Read a wiring schematic,weld, plumbing ect.. troubleshoot whats wrong and not a parts changer but was very lucky and introduced in the carwash bushiness at a young age by my parents and grandparents and the carwash bussiness is very easy mechanically vs Commercial Refrigeration. I will tell you the more specialized you are in your trade the more money you will make. Its no young people that like to work 7 days a week 14hrs a day they do not want to get dirty and learn something its so sad and Yes sir no Sir type people. I love working on things and Learning. The Hands on Generation is defiantly going away.
