Sherwood II Says We MUST Find Better Ways to Recruit Talented Techs

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In this episode, Jeff welcomes back Sherwood Cook II of Royalty Auto. Sherwood talks about the challenges he's had with technician recruitment and stresses the importance of inspiring young techs through programs like their Junior Technician Night. Jeff and Sherwood also talk about industry-wide issues with parts quality, availability, and the increasing difficulty of repairs. Their conversation highlights how these factors impact shops and customers.

Timestamps:
00:00 Preserving the Legacy & Striving for Excellence
00:33 Christmas Break & Personal Reflections
02:21 Surviving Canadian Winters: Funny Stories
03:30 Junior Tech Night: Growing the Next Generation
04:48 New Stations & Engaging Kids in the Trades
05:55 Making Electrical Training Fun for Kids
07:19 Spotting Future Superstars at Tech Night
09:03 Giveaway Stories: Toolkits, Nerf Guns & Kids Negotiations
13:00 The Decline of Hands-on Skills & Why It Matters
16:20 Trades Skills Shortages: Opportunities and Concerns
18:41 The Role of AI: Is It Replacing Technicians?
20:14 Shop Pricing, Value, and Why Craftsmen Stand Out
27:04 OE vs. Aftermarket Parts: Quality and Supply Issues
32:06 Parts Availability Crisis: ABS Modules & TipM Odds
36:17 Aftermarket Solutions: Salvaging Unrepairable Cars
42:08 TRP Parts: Challenges with Used Components
46:32 The Hackers Behind Module Repairs: Sharing Knowledge
51:11 True Value in the Repair Industry: Pricing Your Work
54:39 Learning to Charge Appropriately for Your Service
59:11 Side Work: Garage Repairs vs. Shop Experience
1:01:46 Shop Insurance & Customer Protections
1:03:17 Nuggets for Shop Owners: Value, Markup, & Relationships
1:08:06 Building Value: Pickup, Washes, Roses & More
1:11:42 Price vs. Craftsmanship: Which Arena Will You Play In?
1:18:14 Goals for 2026 & Launching a Training Website
1:20:11 Training Events: Vision, Asta, and Promotion Strategies
1:29:22 Social Media’s Role: Reaching the Next Wave of Techs
1:33:20 Never Stop Learning: Lessons for Young and Veteran Techs
1:34:57 Final Messages: Legacy, Responsibility, and Growth

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