Some findings of a survey on collision repair technicians didn't surprise D. Shepherd, manager of the Dub Miller Ford body shop in Rosenberg, TX, near Houston.

The survey of independent and dealership collision repair shops around the country found that the average age of body shop technicians is rising. Shepherd says most of his shop's 13 employees are in their mids or older.

The survey also found that shop employee benefits are improving. Dub Miller Ford just added a k retirement plan this year, Mr.

But two findings from the survey did surprise Mr. They were that the average technician income has risen steadily the past six years — yet turnover of employees in the industry also is increasing.

I think we're going to continue to lose technicians until these men can make more than they're making.

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The non-profit I-CAR Education Foundation, which conducted the survey, was created a decade ago solely to address the shortage of qualified collision repair technicians.

This year's survey was I-CAR's third in six years. That allows for trend spotting. Ray says technicians' pay widely varies. But more technicians are leaving for other jobs within the industry or leaving the industry entirely.

The number of new technicians being hired from vocational training schools continues to hover at about 5, — leaving more than 18, other openings that must be filled from other sources, says Mr. He says one way to address the technician shortage is to communicate to young people and their parents the earning potential of technicians in the industry.

Keeping current technicians working in the industry longer into their careers is also critical, he notes. Ronnie Hill, body shop manager at Green Gifford Chrysler -Jeep in Norfolk, VA, agrees.

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That's why he tries to move young employees originally hired to wash and detail cars into body shop apprentice positions. I know, because I was a painter here for 41 years.

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An older technician might not be as fast as he once was, but helping train someone new is a way for him to help keep his income up. The apprentices start off being paid an hourly wage for a month or two to see if it's something they want and can do, says Mr. Then they are switched to a flat rate pay similar to, but lower than, experienced technicians. The technician training them receives some compensation for each flat rate hour of labor the apprentice completes. If the shop is running on schedule for its workload, technicians can take a two-hour lunch on Friday paydays.

Shepherd agrees flexibility of work hours is becoming more critical in recruiting and retaining technicians. For a more detailed version, call , ext.

John Yoswick is a freelance writer based in Portland, OR. Facebook Twitter RSS Subscribe Forecasts Events Advertise. Skip to Navigation Skip to Content.

Survey says body shop technicians' pay and benefits increasing Oct 1, John Yoswick WardsAuto.

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