A widespread shortage of skilled workshop staff is preventing most automotive workshops from reaching optimal profitability

To become an ‘employer of choice’, AutoForce Digital says workshops must embrace technology that can improve remuneration, reduce staff stress, and help skilled workers achieve their maximum earning potential, while also enhancing the bottom line.
When it comes to the shortage, both metropolitan and regional workshops are affected, whether recruiting Technicians or Service Advisors.
AutoForce Digital says recent data shows a 25 percent decrease in apprenticeship inductions this year, signalling that the skills shortage will persist for years to come.
Furthermore, those training to become Service Advisors, who are also in short supply, tend to avoid upselling, preferring SMS communication over phone calls and steering clear of confrontation – contrasting with the previous generation of advisors.

Recruitment hurdles
Employers across Australia face significant difficulties in attracting qualified talent. Technician role fill rates are just 33 percent in regional areas and 41 percent in metro regions.
On average, each vacancy yields only 1.8 suitable applicants, while 30 percent of vacancies receive no suitable candidates at all (source: Global Talent Connect).
Recruiting overseas candidates proves costly and administratively complex, with an average sponsorship cost of $20,000 per skilled migrant – a significant barrier for small or mid-sized workshops.
Additionally, persistent misconceptions about overseas workers replacing domestic talent can hinder progressive workforce planning.

Retention challenges
The labour shortage is not only about hiring new staff but also retaining existing skilled employees. Low wages, burnout, and limited advancement opportunities contribute to high turnover rates.
Younger workers increasingly expect workplace safety, mental health support, and clearer promotion pathways – benefits that many employers are still working to offer.

Business impact
The consequences for business are severe. Service delays, customer dissatisfaction, and revenue loss result from workshops operating below capacity.
Such conditions have led to declining morale and an inability to scale operations. In extreme cases, small businesses have closed – not due to lack of demand, but because of insufficient skilled staff.

Becoming an employer of choice
To stand out, AutoForce Digital says workshops must utilise technology to boost remuneration, reduce stress, and enable workers to maximise their earning potential, thereby increasing profitability.
For example, it says adopting service video technology to send visual reports of identified issues can raise the average recommended repair value by up to $260 per repair, factoring in parts and labour.
AutoForce Digital states that if technicians received a percentage of these additional sales, it would enhance their monthly income and improve workshop profits.
As an example only, four precent of $260 is $10.40 per video, which could translate into a $208 weekly bonus with 20 videos per week.

Improving advisor efficiency
AutoForce Digital says that Service Advisors who communicate with customers via their preferred channel – SMS – can reduce inefficient ‘telephone tag’ and minimise phone time.
This enables advisors to spend more time on complex, one-to-one tasks, effectively decreasing workload and stress.
AutoForce Digital PTY Limited delivers advanced automotive CRM solutions throughout the ANZ region, catering to independents, franchises, and dealerships.
Its offerings include customer service video tools, two-way SMS communication, secure payment processing, and comprehensive reputation management.

For further information, contact AutoForce Digital by calling 0426 949 734 or by SMS to 0483 958 387, or email info@autoforce.io or visit www.autoforce.io