Automotive market research firm IMR has released its 2024 Perception of the Trades report, revealing what many households and those entering the workforce think about careers in the automotive repair industry.
The number of households actively recommending pursuing a four-year college degree rose from 45.6% last year to 51.6% this year, and the interest students have in immediately entering the workforce after graduation has dropped to 25%, from 33.8% in 2022.
Of those that are looking to enter the workforce after graduation, though, the number spiked from 84.5% last year to 87.4% this year.
Households that include someone who has worked in the trades are more likely to recommend it as a career path, with 72.8% of households with a family member or friend in the trades being extremely likely to recommend such a decision. This number is a noticeable increase from the 64.6% reported in 2022.
Within households discussing careers in the trades, 46% have recommended becoming an automotive technician. This was the second top recommendation, second to 46% suggesting aircraft maintenance and repair.
Rural households lead in recommending working in the trades, with 55.9% of those surveyed having done so—but there’s also been a significant increase in the number of suburban households exploring the trades, which rose from 41.6% in 2022 to 50.1% this year. 50.1% of urban households, as well, have recommended trade careers.
45% of those surveyed share the view that the income potential for automotive technicians can meet or surpass what someone would make with a four-year degree: a view that younger respondents especially held. Additionally, 42.9% believe pursuing a technician career path comes with less financial burden.
Many households view working as an automotive technician to be a viable career path, with 63.5% strongly agreeing with the sentiment. Hispanic households are especially likely to view it as a favorable career option.
People still feel that there are barriers to women entering the workforce as automotive technicians, though. Just 21% of households fully agreed that there are abundant career opportunities for women in the field—a disappointing decrease from 26% in 2022.
Women who were surveyed expressed slightly more optimism, with just 13% agreeing there are a lack of opportunities, falling from 19% that agreed last year.
Regardless of how they feel about the trades, over a third of respondents felt that automotive technicians are often depicted negatively. Respondents were also mixed on the type of people that are looking to enter the field, and whether the work is too physically demanding.
The report in its entirety is available online, and can currently be obtained by filling out a form on IMR’s website.
