As the service technician workforce has dwindled over the past few years, it has become clear to the automotive industry that something needs to change.

The reasons behind the technician shortage are multifaceted, and many in the industry believe the solution lies in a comprehensive approach that combines education, training and accessibility.

According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, the industry must replace nearly 76,000 technicians every year, but only about 39,000 newly trained candidates graduate from technical colleges and training programs each year. That leaves a gap of nearly 37,000 technicians annually.

To help fill that gap, General Motors teamed up with the U.S. Army in 2014 to create the Shifting Gears Automotive Technical Training Program, which provides training, credentials and job-placement assistance to soldiers who are transitioning from the military to civilian life. The program has now produced about 1,000 graduates.

That transition can be difficult for veterans, especially when it comes to finding employment post-service. According to the Pew Research Center, only one in four U.S. veterans have a job lined up after leaving the armed forces.

Shifting Gears aims to alleviate the strain on auto dealers caused by the technician shortage while easing the sometimes jarring transition that veterans face after leaving the Army.

From Graduate to Manager

The training manager for Shifting Gears, 1st Sgt. Steve Bailey, is a graduate of the program. Bailey joined the U.S. Army in 1992 and completed his service in 2017. In 2016 he joined the auto technician program and one year later started his technician career at a dealership.

“This program is really important to me,” Bailey said. “It helped me tremendously as I transitioned from service.”

For Bailey, joining the program was a “no-brainer” because he had worked on cars with his dad since he was a kid. His experience made him comfortable working on cars, trucks and tanks in the Army, but he never had formal training until he joined the program.

“It was eye-opening,” he said. “It’s a lot different working on vehicles at your leisure than learning how to diagnose them. The program really helped shape and improve the skills that I already had.”

In 2019 Bailey became an engagement specialist for Shifting Gears, and a few years later he moved up to training manager.

“When I had the opportunity to come back and represent the program, I was honored that they asked me,” he said. “My goal was to come in and help the current transitioning service members and share my story with them about how this program can help impact their future.”

Impacting Lives and Shaping Futures

Originally, Shifting Gears focused on service members with mechanical backgrounds, but its leaders realized they were missing out on a lot of talent, according to Bailey. Now the program is open to service members with any Army occupational specialty.

Bailey went on to share the story of a man who was a combat medic in the military with no prior automotive experience to his name. But he loved figuring out complex problems and working with his hands.

The veteran excelled in the program and earned his Master Automotive Service Excellence certification in only two years. He went on to achieve World Class ASE certification in three years from the time of his graduation from the program. Soon, he received a job offer he had never dreamed of getting: a six-figure salary as an automotive technician.

“That’s our reward,” Bailey said. “We love to see these guys succeed. That is why we do this.”

The program is based at the World War II-era Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. Bailey said it wants to maximize its efforts at that post before exploring expansion to other locations.

How the Program Runs

Shifting Gears is a 12-week program with classroom, online and hands-on technical training specific to General Motors models.

It’s provided at no cost to service members and takes place before their separation dates so they’re ready to start working at a GM dealership as soon as they’re done with active duty.

There are eight cohorts, or classes, a year with the capacity for 120 students. A new cohort starts every six weeks.

To help graduates find jobs, the program hosts quarterly Dealer Days. GM dealers sign up and visit Fort Hood, where they interview candidates and make job offers to the students.

For students who don’t find placements then, the program sends out a nationwide list to dealers every week with a list of technicians open to work. Shifting Gears engagement specialists will also contact dealerships directly, if necessary, to find technicians placements.

Another aspect that isn’t technically part of the program but is just as important is helping the service members transition back into civilian life.

“We’ve been in their place,” Bailey said. “We know transition is hard, so we try to build their confidence.”

He called it a process of “taking the uniform off.” Program staff want to help the veterans grow personally and professionally and “learn how to maintain the work ethic, morals and standards that were instilled in them with military service and take that into civilian life and be successful.”

Auto dealers interested in recruiting technicians from the program can visit its website for contact information: www.gmstc.com/index.php/shifting-gears/.