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

In this episode, Jeff welcomes back Sherwood Cook II of Royalty Auto (‪@theroyaltyautoservice‬) 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. Like the show? Show your support by using our sponsors. Promotive can help you find your dream job. https://gopromotive.com/job-listings/ Register for the first annual Tektonic event! https://auto.tekmetric.com/4r7jaUw 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