The COVID-19 pandemic has affected lives in many negative ways but it has also shown just how viable the automotive industry is as a career choice for young professionals. While many industries slowed down or were forced to shut their doors, automotive services experienced a dip in business at first but rebounded quickly, proving an automotive career offers a stable future. With industry experiencing labour shortages while the country experiences rising unemployment rates, a career in the automotive industry is not only a smart option it’s an exciting one.
Even before COVID-19, industry faced a unique challenge; many professionals currently working are reaching retirement age yet there is not enough new talent coming in. This comes at a time when the industry is seeing a massive shift in technology and the way repairs are performed, which means not only are more professionals required to replace those leaving, but these professionals will need to possess skills and training that were not required of their predecessors. This shift has elevated the professionalism of the automotive industry and brought new opportunities for employment. The industry is constantly evolving and today’s automotive technicians have the chance to work on luxury vehicles and advanced technologies. Whether you like to work with your hands and figure things out, are good at engaging with people, or just like cool cars and driving, the automotive industry has a career for everyone.
To help bring young professionals together with the top automotive shops, AutoCareersBC, a branch of the Automotive Retailers Association, aims to help place students in meaningful careers and show them the options available to them within industry. If you would like to pursue a career in automotive or are just curious about some of the jobs available, reach out to Dejla Sabanac at dejlasabanac@ara.bc.ca. Every day more opportunities are emerging and with a focus on bringing in women and minorities, industry has never been as diverse as it is today!