The skilled trades are facing a growing workforce challenge across the country. According to a new report from the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades, training programs are currently producing just 55 workers for every 100 needed, with an estimated 1.7 million skilled-trade positions expected to need filling by 2035.
The automotive repair industry is no exception. Today’s technicians are working on vehicles that are more technologically advanced than ever, with cameras, sensors, advanced driver-assistance systems, electric and hybrid powertrains, and increasingly complex diagnostic and calibration requirements. At the same time, nearly one-third of the automotive body repair workforce is 55 or older, making it increasingly important to introduce younger workers to careers in the industry.
But attracting the next generation is only part of the challenge. Students need opportunities to see what these careers actually look like—and gain experience beyond the classroom.
Turning Interest Into Experience
That’s where hands-on learning can make a difference.
At Colours Inc., our Internship Program gives students the opportunity to experience the automotive refinish and collision repair industry firsthand. Rather than simply learning about the industry from a classroom, interns spend time with experienced professionals, visit Colours locations, participate in training, and get an inside look at the day-to-day work happening in body shops and throughout the automotive refinish industry.
The eight-week program is designed around four key ideas: Be in Demand. Work with Experts. Discover Your Passion. Get Hands-On Training.
Interns gain exposure to everything from refinish fundamentals and product knowledge to the people, processes, and technology that keep today’s collision repair industry moving. The goal isn’t simply to introduce students to a job—it’s to help them understand the many career paths available within the industry and give them the experience to begin building one.
Building the Next Generation of Skilled Workers
The skilled trades offer meaningful careers, but students need a clear path to get started. Programs that combine education with real-world experience can help bridge that gap by allowing young people to explore a career before committing to it.
For the automotive industry, that exposure is especially important. As vehicle technology continues to evolve, the need for knowledgeable, adaptable technicians and industry professionals will only grow.
At Colours, we’re proud to play a role in introducing students to the industry, connecting them with experienced professionals, and showing them that a career in the automotive field can offer opportunities to learn, grow, and build a future.
The next generation of skilled workers is out there. We just need to give them a chance to get started.
Check out our internship program here.
Original blog adapted from By on