For the first time in 10 years, technician schools are seeing an increase in course completions, according to the TechForce Foundation.
TechForce’s recently published 2023 Technician Supply & Demand Report shows that the overall technician workforce grew by 4.3% from 2021 to 2022, “outpacing the overall U.S. labor force’s growth,” which was 4%, for the first time.
“While this is good news, the report still finds the gap remains,” as TechForce projects that nearly 800,000 new “automotive, diesel, collision repair, aviation and avionics technicians” are needed to meet demand over the next half-decade.
“This number is down from last year’s projection of one million new hires deemed necessary,” says TechForce Foundation CEO Jennifer Maher.
Auto service tech demand remains the highest, with 495,000 new techs needed within the next five years. (The next highest-demand area, diesel engine technicians, will require around 152,000.)
There are 2.6 jobs available for every auto service tech school graduate, according to TechForce research.
“We need to do everything we can to inspire and support those who want to pursue the technician career path,” adds Maher, who notes that the TechForce Foundation will award more than $2 million in scholarships and grants this year.
