Volvo Car USA Minimizes Student Debt for New Technicians

Getting into the automotive repair field is way more expensive than you think. Here’s how Volvo is cutting costs for new technicians.

The automotive repair field is struggling to find technicians right along with the rest of the trades. Cars are getting more difficult to work on and combined with student debt, cost of tools, and low starting wages, the supply of incoming workers is low.

However, Volvo Car USA has implemented a plan to encourage more people to pursue and stay in successful careers as auto service technicians. This unique program could effectively eliminate $20,000 or more in student debt and other expenses.

Technicians now are expected to come with an education and certifications, along with a large assortment of tools. A professional toolbox with tools to fill the drawers can easily reach costs of $40,000.

The Volvo Technician Tool Program minimizes that cost by providing technicians with free and permanent access to the tools they need to perform required repairs. With modern automotive repair consisting of computer, hybrid and electric vehicle technology diagnostics, younger technicians are in high demand.

Volvo Car USA worked with Wurth Tools to assemble a 72-piece set with both hand and cordless tools that will enable the technician to perform more than 80% of the jobs encountered at a Volvo Service Center.

Tools are then organized and stored in a custom locking cabinet installed by the retailer, who is responsible for the maintenance and replacement of individual pieces.

“The Volvo Technician Tool Program (VTTP) addresses one of the biggest challenges facing the automotive industry: the need for more technicians,” said Scott Doering, Vice President, Customer Service at Volvo Car USA. “With this initiative, we see substantial value delivered to our retailer partners, especially given the nominal VTTP investment relative to the cost of recruiting or replacing a technician.”

“We have spent the last six months validating these toolsets in our in-house workshop and our technicians' feedback has been resoundingly positive,” Doering said. “We expect retailers will feel the same.”