"Full time car repairers wanted." Ads of this type, in which independent garages or specialized networks search for tire repairers or mechatronics technicians, are soaring on job search Web site bulletin boards. However, according to trade associations, workers willing to repair tires, calibrate Adas systems, and check engines, whether internal combustion or electric, are becoming a rarity. Looking at the latest available data published on the Excelsior information system of Unioncamere and Anpal, 32,750 workers were employed as mechanics and tire repairers in Italy in 2021, between permanent contracts (33 percent of those hired) and fixed-term contracts (47 percent of those hired), only 42 percent of whom were young. Despite this being a significant figure, it still falls short of the demand for personnel by the more than 57 thousand companies in the sector (Autopromotec Observatory data). Poor training and difficulties in adapting to tight deadlines are, according to employers, the reasons behind the current mismatch between demand and supply and the reason why many young people are fleeing from the profession. Despite being reflected in numerous reports produced by industry associations, these findings do not take into account aspects related to professional growth and job attractiveness by those seeking employment in the car repair industry. In fact, young men and women alike, coming out of school or university would prefer a more digital and technological working environment in which to put their acquired knowledge to use. Although in an OECD-Randstad report, which analysed 417 million job ads posted online in 10 countries over the past decade, Italy shows the highest percentage of ads involving digital occupations (12 percent of total web vacancies), this does not pertain to the car repair sector. Indeed, in many cases, instead of investing in smart diagnostics, management software, marketing strategies and work organization to improve process efficiency, many workshops insist on outdated business models. Creating employment, then, in an industry like vehicle service and maintenance is crucial, especially looking at the technological development currently affecting the automotive world. Becoming technologically and economically appealing would go a long way in attracting young job candidates, leading to an evolution of the trade. This is what workshops must focus on in order to find new specialists and increase their business. On the other hand, if we wish the car repair world to be more captivating for young digital native applicants, schools must help students to overcome preconceived ideas about working in a workshop.
