Job Seach Conclusion

I'm two weeks into my new job... there's an old saying "be careful for what you wish for, it might come true." I'm the man at this job ( Head chief) next to the owner. Right now its just me doing the bodywork, prep and paint. Spent my first two weeks correcting other techs faulty work from before I got there, dealing with my boss that knows zero about auto collision procedures and work.

however my work situation right now, I must say is providing me with a good situation so I can utilize my vast experience as an auto tech and learn new skills as a manager.

Job Search Week 4

its been one week since my last blog post - I finally found a job as a prepper/painter/bodyman/Estimator. The auto collision industry is so out of control it has no direction or leadership that can set a positive example. To me the collision industry is like a dog chasing its tail... me know how that usually ends up. I know those are random comments however its how I feel right a this moment.

I have a lot to blog about but right know I'm going to bed - got work tomorrow need my rest wearing all those hats.

[TR] An HR plan helps growth

Ottawa, Ontario--February 18, 2010--Planning is good business in our industry, according to the new Canadian Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) Performance Driven report.

They found that shops that look set to grow over the course of the year are typically also the ones with an HR plan, a training strategy and budget, a system to evaluate employees' training needs and benefits for employees who finish training.

Other highlights from the study include:

• "29% of industry employers surveyed say they have one or more unfilled positions. This amounts to an estimated 13,000 unfilled positions, of which about 37% are service technician positions."
• "The motive power repair and service sector has experienced considerable consolidation since 2005. Small businesses still make up the largest portion the sector, with 55% of businesses employing only 1 to 5 people. There has been an increase in the number of larger shops, those with 10 or more service bays. These now make up 26% of the industry/sector, up 5% from 2005.
• "Perceptions continue to pose barriers to apprenticeship. Almost one third of employers (31%) do not employ any apprentices, despite a proven return on investment and government programs and tax incentives for doing so."

You can download a full PDF of the report at Cars

CARS - Canadian Association Repairs and Service - tag line Your online source for information, human-resource training and news about the Canadian Automotive Repair and Service Industry.

I have yet to determine their relevance to techs needs and concerns in the auto collision industry so, in my option if you have any questions contact them and share your response.

Jennifer Steeves Executive Director Canadian Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) Council Telephone: 613-798-0500 Email: jennifer@carscouncil.ca

Article received through CR

[TR] CR- Article- It seems like...

I'm starting to recognize a long standing trend that has now become dangerous to the sustainability of the auto collision industry. I will be talking about this trend from time to time on this blog and posting articles and comments from other blogs that pertain to this trend.

I've always realized participants with a set mental mind set in the auto collision industry avoiding dialog or any form of value added communication concerning the real issues effecting this industry.

Comments, articles, blog post etc that I come across outlining this continues trend will get posted with the prefix [TR] and areas of interest highlighted in red along with my comments.

It seems like it’s imitating the movies.

I’m not a real big movie buff but I could not help seeing some similarities to some of the discussions that have taken place at recent CCIF meetings around the country and several Hollywood blockbuster movies that I have had the pleasure of watching over the years.

There is a scene in this movie where Edward Norton’s character is describing his job to a fellow passenger on the plane. He explains that he works for a “large automotive manufacturer” and his job is to assess their exposure on product recalls. If the cost of the recalls is higher than the expected cost of the lawsuits then they don’t do the recall – they just let the casualties pile up.The shops that do the best job... will get the work.

I see a similar train of thought with some of Canada’s largest automotive insurers. They all talk like they want to do business with the “best” shops so their customers are well looked after. But they do have to allow choice and all you know.

My opinion is that they seem to like having the marginal players in the market place. They may not do a safe repair but they keep rates low. The insurance companies know we have a very dysfunctional industry. It seems to me that many shops have neither honour nor ethics. If an insurance company asks for concessions in return for work there are always shops or consolidators that are willing to accommodate them.

Their latest brainchild is something called “procurement”. I’m not totally sure what it is but I can guarantee you that the insurance companies will save money and good shops will make less money.

There is a scene in this movie where young John Conner asks the terminator “We’re not going to make it, are we? You know, the human race.” To which the Terminator replies, “It is in your nature to destroy yourselves.”

Shop owners have one thing on their minds – themselves! To try and get shops to voluntarily agree to tougher “accreditation” guidelines is ludicrous, it won’t happen. We are stupid and selfish. The first chance we get to make a deal on the side that brings our shop more work we go for it, even if it means dragging everyone down with us.

It would make more sense to me if insurers were to adopt things like training, cycle time, CSI, and proper equipment as requirements for shops to do business with them. Anyone should be able to qualify for their requirements as long as they invest the time and the money. Then insurers could give their customers a choice between accredited repairers. The shops that do the best job at meeting their customer’s expectations will get the work. If the customer chooses to go to a “non-accredited” shop it is their choice.

The key thing is to pay a premium for excellence. Pay less for mediocre. Then shop owners will get the message and smarten up or go out of business. This scenario will probably happen sooner or later anyway.

The current state of profitability in the collision industry will eventually weed out a lot of shops, some good decent folk and some pretenders. The net result is that insurance companies will have fewer shops to fix their customers cars and we all know about the law of supply and demand.

There’s a scene in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest where Murphy bets that he can pick up a fountain, throw it through a window and escape to a bar to watch the game. His roommates taunt him when he fails. As he leaves the room he hollers, “At least I tried.”. It was so cool at the end of the movie how the big quiet Indian “Chief” used that same fountain to smash through the window and gain his freedom.

I have heard people muttering that CCIF cannot accomplish anything; it is strictly a forum for discussion. Or how about this, “How can they represent the entire collision industry? There are less than 50 facilities attending the forum!”

Then we have the naysayers who claim the meetings are too expensive, that they don’t represent the average shop’s point of view or that a few elitists are running the show for their own benefit. Oh brother! How narrow minded and stupid can you be?

I want to be free from this insanity, how about you? Stand up, come out to the next CCIF in Vancouver on April 21st and help us throw the fountain through the window

Job Search -Week 3

Well I'm now three weeks into searching for a new job as a Prepper. It has never taken me this long to find a job usually by the first week I've fount a job. So, what is this saying about the industry and job availability?

The first thing I'll usually do when searching for a job is buy the Toronto Sun and look in the skilled job section for available hiring ads. There hasn't been allot of ads so, now I'm utilizing the internet and local newspapers too.

Its always interesting talking with shop owners - just listing to their expectations on requirements from a tech, the industry trend in their view and what they believe techs are willing or should be willing to work for.

Last week, I had two solid leads. The week before that I answered an Ad for an experienced Prepper - to send my resume to an email address and they will be in contact.

the following is my conversation with them:

Me- Red
Green- Them

Hi, I'm responding to the job in the Mississauga Newspaper. I understand what it takes and the demands in today's work environment to get the job out - by providing me the opportunity to join your team and utilize my experience to further your companies advancement would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Don,

We will be hosting interviews on Thursday evening: August 05, 2010 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

If you are available please reply to this email with your preferred time as we are interested in you.

Please have available your references.

Hi, I am still interested in the job position. 4:30 would work for me. If you could provide me your location I will see you then.

Thank you

Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Hello Don,

I will schedule You for 4:30 PM.

Our location is:

Please have your references available.


Hello Don,

Eric has made a decision to hire on a trial basis.

I will maintain your resume on file and contact you asap if the individual does not meet the requirements.

Thank you for your time.

Carolyn

Okay, your consideration was appropriated (meant to say appreciated) .
Thank you

Don

Even through I didn't get the job it was a very interesting experience and a few good things came from it. 1 - the interaction of applying and using new technology to respond and set up interview appointments . 2- going though the procedure of supplying references (first time that I've ever been asked for references ) and 3- listening to employers' challenges of finding that tech that fits into their company's requirements.

What is so interesting to me, "as I search for this illusive job", is this question... are Auto Collision Repair facilities full understanding the changing economical demands of their industry? If yes, then why are they trying so desperately hard to fit a round peg into a square whole?

Job search

Guns For Hire

Yesterday was very interesting - I've built up some energy and decided to get back to my crusade of making a positive difference in the human resources section of the Canadian auto collision industry.

Not even sure why I'm so passionate about making a difference - I should do like most techs with years of experience and operate a Bodyshop, close my eyes to the vast human resource issues facing techs and the industry. However, I've never been willing or able to compromise my integrity long-term to own a Bodyshop... especially now that I'm older. Bodyshop owners/managers are an unique set of individuals functioning and surviving in an industry wilder than the wild wild west of yesteryear's - that honors and rewards guns for hire.

I'm not willing to pick up a gun and start blazing away at consumers, insurers, suppliers and techs because I decided to operate in an industry that lacks structure so, I can save off a few percentage points on my bottom line.

Techs are you willing to become a hired gun and operate your own Bodyshop business or is that not fair to say?

Bottom Line
Lacks Structure

Didn't Get Away

It's been two years since I last blogged about the Canadian Auto Collision Industry. In the last few years I have been involved in pursuing personal goal that would allow me freedom of expression and future financial stability. Two of the things that you would expect a multi-dollar auto collision industry would layout for an auto tech with over 20 years of experience as a prepper, painter and bodyperson.

In the last two years I've worked at three auto body shops, the first one was for a prominent independent network of franchisees. The second was for a small independent shop owner and the third was for a national emerging franchise network. On top of my resume one of the first things you will read is " Fit into a team environment". and this is one of the things body shops love to see but, I have yet to see or be part of an auto body environment that understands and implements the principles of a team philosophy.

As I'm wright this blog post in the mist of searching for a job again. I have to seriously do some soul searching - I can't keep pointing my fingers at the auto body shops for me leaving them when there's more fingers pointing back at me.

The hardest thing for me is pretending, closing my eye to injustice, compromising my integrity for wages that isn't even inline with or close to industry value.

I'm very interested in how auto body techs stay focused each and every day knowing they are working for less than their market value? Leave a comment and let me know.

"If its going to be, its up to me"