NAPA x LASTEM: Tackling Auto Shortage One Tech at
a Time

Auto Workers | Auto Certifications

Everyone has probably heard about the worker shortage facing the United States in 2023, but
you may be surprised to learn that the shortage includes a lack of over 600,000 automotive
technicians. The key to understanding the shortage is to understand the multiple causes for the
increased demand and lower supply of technicians.

Perception and Promotion
One of the largest reasons young people entering the workforce are choosing not to enter the
automotive field is that many schools are still pushing the idea that a student needs to go to a
four-year university to find a well-paying career. Despite this, there are many vocational
education institutions in Louisiana in which students can come out earning more than many
college degree holders. This is where your local Louisiana NAPA stores and LASTEM come in. We’re working together to
include careers in the automotive field under the STEM umbrella and raise awareness of these
opportunities for the newest generation of automotive technicians.

Aging Workforce
While less young people are joining the automotive field, there are also many that are retiring
from it. The average baby boomer will be between the ages of 60 and 78 in 2024 according to
Market Watch. The problem with this is that experts have noted that the baby boomer
generation was among the last to encourage blue collar and vocational work, meaning that they
make up an outsized portion of the total number of auto mechanics.
The key to fixing this problem is increasing the number of young people choosing to enter the
automotive workforce. By promoting NAPA’s partnership with Louisiana STEM educators, NAPA
aims to help educate young people on the opportunities that await them in STEM and the
automotive field.

Changing Automotive Field
It also doesn’t help that cars are continuing to become more and more complex, with more
electrical systems than ever before. This could end up being a benefit for automotive
technicians however, as the increased specialization of their skills may also drive up wages in
the field. The automotive technician shortage means increased wait times and increased repair costs for
consumers. NAPA and LASTEM want to help Louisianans get in gear when it comes to STEM
careers in auto. Learn more about career opportunities in STEM by visiting your local Louisiana
NAPA store.