Hello everyone! Thanks for the invite and happy to be here!

Jim Farley thinks America has a skilled labor shortage problem. I think Ford has a humanity problem. A few days ago, Ford's CEO went on a podcast lamenting that they can't fill 5,000 mechanic positions despite offering $120,000 salaries. He blamed it on everything from lack of trade schools to generational work ethic. Let me translate what's really happening: Ford is discovering what happens when you treat human beings like "employee 389" for decades. (Yes, that's how Farley literally referenced his grandfather who worked there.) See, Ford thinks this equation still works: Big Money + Big Brand = Automatic Talent Magnet. Meanwhile, independent shops with a fraction of their recruiting budget are stealing their best technicians. How? They remembered something Ford forgot: Technicians are humans first, workers second. Here's what Ford's $120K can't buy: - Direct access to decision makers - Not 7 layers of management who've never turned a wrench - Being seen as a craftsman - Not employee #12,847 in the meat grinder - Flexibility when life happens - Not "submit form HR-7B for your kid's baseball game" - Input that matters - Not suggestions that die in committee meetings - Recognition for excellence - Not the same raise as the guy who shows up drunk The best part? Farley admits they agreed to a 25% pay bump over 4 years with the UAW. Translation: They'll throw money at anything except treating people with dignity. I've placed hundreds of technicians. The ones earning $110K at independent shops that take care of them? They laugh when dealers wave $120K at them. Why? Because they've learned what shop owners are starting to realize: Culture and lifestyle eat compensation for breakfast. Yes, you need competitive pay. But Ford's panic proves what I've been saying for years: The technician shortage isn't the real problem. The humanity shortage is. While Ford scrambles to understand why money isn't working anymore, smart independents are building something money can't buy:

Hi everyone, I'm glad to see someone is trying to do something about the Tech. shortage. We are in Eastern New Mexico and it is a desert of all things automotive, so I need all the resources I can get.

I'm thrilled to introduce @Christi Warren, who just joined our team at Technician Find as Client Success Manager. Christi brings something special to our community - she's been living the shop life alongside her husband, who's both a technician and shop manager. Those dinner conversations about the tech who didn't show up? The excitement when a great candidate accepts? The frustration when your A-tech gives notice? She's been there for all of it. But here's what really sets Christi apart: she's worked directly with independent shops, helping them onboard shop management software. She's been in your shops, seen your workflows, and felt your pain points firsthand. She attends industry conferences and truly understands the daily frustrations - from software that promises everything but delivers headaches, to the constant juggling act of keeping customers happy while developing your team. One of the many things I love about Christi is her genuine passion for this industry. She's been quietly absorbing technician culture through forums and groups - not as a recruiter, but as someone who genuinely cares about understanding what makes techs tick. She gets why respect matters as much as pay. She understands the difference between a shop that just employs techs and one that develops them. Her husband has given her the real insider's view - the good, the challenging, and everything in between. Combined with her hands-on experience in shops like yours, that perspective is invaluable, and I'm excited for you all to get to know her. Christi will be helping coordinate our recruiting campaigns and keeping things moving smoothly for our clients. But more than that, she's here as someone who truly understands your world from multiple angles. Please join me in giving Christi a warm welcome! Drop a comment below to say hello - I know she's excited to connect with each of you. Welcome to the family, Christi! We're lucky to have you.

Wheatland Repair in Davenport, WA just added an A-level Automotive Technician to the crew. Word is the ad pulled in lots of compliments. Even a call from another shop owner in Spokane. That’s when you know your message is hitting. Nice work, Wheatland Repair!!