ASA Working to Ease the Labor Shortage in Repair and Collision Shops
In March 2024, ASA launched a successful new landmark Apprenticeship Program in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Highland High School that will serve as a template for communities across the country to grow young technicians entering the field of automotive and collision repair. Partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, local ASA member shops in the Albuquerque area, I-CAR, CCC, ARA (Automotive Recyclers Association) and AMi, the program launched with 12 students and will continue to grow.
Scott Benavidez
The seed of this idea for this unique program came from ASA’s Chairman, Scott Benavidez, owner of Mr. B’s Collision shop in New Mexico in 2022 who said, “At the onset, I just wanted to do something to help our collision and mechanical repair industry solve a problem that we had been experiencing for years…. shortage of qualified workers. This started in the collision community in New Mexico and now has grown to an entire repair community in Southeast Heights area in Albuquerque.”
Students that signed up for the program, attend their regular classes at the high school then also work on the specific curriculum put together for this program by the team from input of CCC, ARA, ASA, I-CAR and AMi. They also spend time in the local ASA member shops doing hands on work applying what they have learned while being mentored by the managers and owner of the repair or collision shops.
When talking about the great response he has received from the students in the program, Benavidez stated, “These students have breathed life into the school as well as collision professionals. They make me so proud to be a part of this and we have built relationships that will last a lifetime – ASA has always strived for leaving the collision and mechanical repair industry better than we found it.”
Not only do the classes teach the technical skills necessary to be successful in a shop, but at the same time they are learning leadership and communication skills that will help them be successful in whatever career path they choose in the future. These students are extremely motivated and will come out of the program with the skills necessary to get them a great job at any independent repair or collision shop at above an entry level position with their experience and become industry leaders.
Scott and his team picked the partners for this program carefully turning to the trusted groups in our industry that represent the best of the best. “When we (ASA and New Mexico team) reached out to I-CAR, CCC, ARA and AMi, for help and training content, the response was a resounding “YES”, Benavidez stated.
While this is just a start to try and address the staffing challenges our ASA members face daily, ASA will work with high schools and other educational systems around the country to identify different areas to replicate this model in the future and grow the base of qualified and well-trained candidates.
When asked for any final thoughts, Benavidez responded, “ I want to thank ASA, I-CAR, CCC, Ami, ARA for their support of these students and our industry, which is strong as we continue to try and repair vehicles to the best of our abilities for our customers and their families. These students and those that follow as we expand this program will be the leaders of our industry someday. Hopefully, they will understand as we do that our collision and repair industry has always been the most rewarding professions.”
If you need more information on this program or how to get involved and do something in your area, please call Julie Massaro, ASA at 303-808-5643 or email her at juliem@asashop.org.
