Faced with a staggering shortage of 12,500 automotive technicians in New Jersey, there’s an incredible demand for techs across the board, but this critical issue isn’t unique to our state. It’s a problem for dealers nationwide. NJ CAR exists to both support and advocate for our dealer members, so we’ve engineered a program to help alleviate the stress of finding more auto techs.

Since October 2024, NJ CAR’s Technician Advancement Program (TAP) has been producing work-ready, entry-level technicians, allowing us to meet the needs of our dealer members one graduate at a time. Five 18-week bootcamps so far have yielded more than 50 graduates.

Nearly two years into the program, we reached out to TAP graduates and a dealership partner to gather their thoughts on its impact. In these interviews, we began to unpack both the benefits of TAP and its long-term effects on the graduates and dealers who employ them.

Removing Roadblocks on the Path Into Automotive Service

When considering how to address the technician shortage, many feel the biggest obstacle is a lack of interest, but the response from our TAP grads tells us otherwise. Liam Matthew Vanderbilt (Manahawkin CDJR class), Mauro Nissan (Route 22 Toyota class), and Justin Hughes (Dayton Toyota class) share that they’ve always had an affinity for working with their hands. The largest obstacle for many of them wasn’t disinterest — it was the financial investment.

“The barrier to entry is kind of high, but I understand why dealerships can’t afford to take a chance on somebody who doesn’t understand the fundamentals of how a vehicle operates,” said Vanderbilt, currently employed by previous TAP host Manahawkin CDJR. “Between the need for experience, the cost of tools, and the cost of education — I feel like there are lots of potentially great technicians out there who never get the chance to become one because they didn’t have an opportunity like TAP.”

Based on their feedback, graduates agree that TAP addresses many of the obstacles to entering the trade. “The program is free, which makes a huge difference when you’re unemployed or already in a difficult financial situation. You don’t have to pay a small fortune to make a career change,” said Nissan, currently employed by Richard Lucas Chevrolet in Woodbridge. “It’s a relatively short program. You don’t need to spend years in an extensive technical program to get started in the industry.”

Translating TAP Into the Dealership Environment

Mike Kelley, Director of Fixed Operations with Manahawkin CDJR, reflected on the first-hand experience he gained watching TAP students grow throughout the program: “What stood out about TAP students was their desire to ask questions, absorb information, and become part of the team. That mindset is far more important than knowing every repair procedure on day one.”

While experience is the best teacher, Kelley highlights the significance of teamwork in the shop. “TAP graduates don’t just leave with technical knowledge — they understand dealership expectations, safety, professionalism, documentation, and what it takes to succeed in a real dealership environment. That exposure significantly shortens the learning curve and allows them to contribute much sooner than someone who’s only experienced a traditional classroom setting.”

When asked to describe what it was like going through the program, graduates agreed that TAP played a vital role in their transition to life in the dealership. Justin Hughes, currently employed by Ciocca Kia Subaru, noted, “The hands-on training helped a lot with getting me comfortable with the more common movements throughout the day: setting the lift, tires, brakes, alignments, etc. The combination of classroom and hands-on work was very beneficial.” Vanderbilt adds, “Practicing what we learned from class in the shop really helped solidify the lessons for us. When I was hired after I completed the program, I had already established a routine for servicing vehicles.”

With 288 hours of instruction delivered by master technicians who clearly illustrate what a typical day looks like for a technician, there’s an immense amount of content to cover in every bootcamp. Recognizing that, Nissan praises TAP for being so thorough: “What stood out to me the most was how structured the program was. We had everything we needed from the beginning: experienced and capable instructors; all the tools we needed; and a clean, organized workshop. Regardless of your educational background, TAP focuses on the knowledge and skills you actually need to get started, which I think is one of its biggest strengths.”

Beyond the Toolbox: How Mentorship Keeps Technicians Thriving

No matter how well TAP simulates the daily life of auto techs in the dealership, a program can’t replace real-life experience. To foster a smoother transition from training to dealership, graduates tell us that the employees assigned to mentor them were essential in establishing a comfortable space to ask more nuanced questions. They shared that having someone who provides clear guidance in the fast-paced dealership environment was critical to their overall success. As such, Hughes revealed, “I’m extremely grateful to have had two great mentors who’ve helped me get where I am today.”

All people have the capacity to inspire others, and that was true for Vanderbilt, who said, “I could tell the TAP instructors absolutely loved what they did. It really inspired me to get into the trade, and because my mentors pushed me to try new things, it helped me grow as a technician.”

Mike Kelley sums up how important the dealership’s role is in encouraging the next generation of auto techs in stating, “TAP gives dealerships the opportunity to mentor, invest in, and develop the next generation of technicians. It’s a win for the student, dealership, customer, and future of our industry.” If given the opportunity, TAP graduates can become skilled automotive techs who rise through the ranks.

Consider This: Graduates of the pilot class of February 2025 have already accumulated 1.5 years of experience at their dealership.

The Takeaway: Dealerships that invest in NJ CAR’s TAP grads will have long-term auto techs who in turn invest in the dealership.

What’s Next?

As the creators of TAP, we’ve taken great care to address dealer concerns around hiring newly trained automotive techs from our program. We understand your caution around safety, experience, and preparedness regarding repair quality. Fortunately, TAP is unique in that it provides students with the hands-on application of classroom teachings directly in real dealerships — something traditional training simply doesn’t offer.

“If we can help create a clear roadmap for success, provide meaningful mentorship, and demonstrate a true path for career growth, we’ll continue to attract, develop, and retain the talented technicians this rapidly evolving, technology-driven industry depends on,” said Kelley. “I’d encourage every dealership to get involved. I’ve seen firsthand that great technicians aren’t found, they’re developed. The technician shortage isn’t going away, and we can’t expect someone else to solve it.”

TAP graduates are already excelling in their new positions, and dealers are taking note. Nissan testifies that: “Finding your first job in the industry can be very difficult because most employers want people with experience. When I interviewed at the dealership, I didn’t have to answer many technical questions because it was enough for them to know I graduated from TAP.”

There’s been no shortage of interest from students in our bootcamps, and the feedback has been incredible. “If you’re good with your hands and enjoy learning hands-on, it’s absolutely worth it to go through TAP,” Hughes comments. “Being a part of this program is a privilege,” Vanderbilt adds. He even goes a step further in telling future students: “If you’re really passionate and want to make a career out of being a technician, I can’t imagine a better place to start.”

The reality is that TAP only survives if dealers invest in these graduates. Dealers and students alike recognize the value of this program and the graduates it produces.

Will your dealership join us?