This blog is the second in a five-part series examining the maintenance landscape facing today’s fleet operators. The previous post looked at “4 Strategies for Staying Ahead of Changing Emissions Regulations.” Future posts will focus on the emergence of automatic manual transmissions, the hidden maintenance costs in your fleet, and how big data is having a dramatic impact on how you manage maintenance.
Fleet operators face a serious challenge under the hood – and in the regulatory landscape. A deepening shortage of skilled maintenance technicians who are both tech savvy and handy with the wrench leaves truck fleet operators and carriers clamoring to stay atop maintenance needs. As diesel engines grow increasingly complex, in part to meet rising emission standards, companies must keep maintenance and service costs in check, while ensuring vehicle uptime and customer satisfaction.
Yesterday’s mechanic is today’s technician. Modern diesel engine maintenance requires a deep knowledge of electrical components, computer systems, and software programs, as well as experience throughout the garage. The challenge becomes how to encourage more prospective technicians to enter the field.
Amid that backdrop, three personnel trends are unfolding:
- Over one million jobs exist today in the auto, diesel, and collision repair industries with 17 percent growth forecast through the year 2020, notes the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, only 3,500 diesel-and-truck technicians graduate from technical schools each year, notes the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
- A shortage of between 5,000 and 10,000, heavy-duty diesel technicians is predicted in the next five years, according to the American Trucking Association.
- Truck dealers, equipment dealers, independent repair garages, and fleets in need of new technicians all pull from the same labor pool. This competition for technicians could lead to further workplace shortages.
The numbers don’t add up. New entrants to the market are not enough to provide the industry the qualified technicians it needs to keep trucks on the road, especially as more emission regulations are expected by 2017.
In summary, those who provide and maintain vehicles to the logistics and transportation industry can count on continued challenges. Fewer technicians and competitive demands for their skills could lead to longer service and wait times. As vehicles sit idle, lost opportunity costs promise to impact profitability and customer satisfaction alike.
Look for the third installment of this series coming soon.
Authored by Scott Perry
Scott Perry is Vice President, Supply Management & Global Fuel Products with Ryder System, Inc. He is responsible for defining and managing vehicle and parts procurement strategy, corporate real estate and strategic infrastructure, new vehicle technologies, as well as overseeing Ryder’s diesel products portfolio and advanced fuel program.
