Why Brand-Certified Technicians Are Essential for Irish Dealerships
Irish dealerships are struggling to recruit skilled Technicians and it is only getting harder. Service teams are stretched, wait times are growing and profitability is at risk. With electric vehicles and advanced technology transforming the sector, relying on a shrinking local talent pool is no longer sustainable. So how can dealerships stay ahead? This post explores why brand-certified Technicians are essential and how international recruitment is becoming a game-changer for those ready to secure top talent.
The Skills Shortage in Ireland
The Irish automotive industry has faced a persistent shortage of qualified Technicians. The 2008 recession led to a dramatic drop in apprenticeship registrations and while numbers have rebounded, they still fall short of industry demand.
With electric vehicles, advanced diagnostics and rapidly evolving automotive technology reshaping the industry, apprenticeship programmes must evolve to attract young talent and ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills.
Some industry providers have already taken steps to upskill Technicians in areas such as EV technology, but structured, long-term solutions are still lacking. Without modernised training pathways, dealerships will continue to struggle with an ageing workforce and a shrinking talent pool.
A key factor contributing to this is the fluctuation in apprenticeship registrations in recent years, making it harder for dealerships to plan for future workforce needs. The graph below illustrates this inconsistency, showing why relying solely on local hires is no longer a sustainable strategy.
With electric vehicles, advanced diagnostics and rapidly evolving automotive technology reshaping the industry, apprenticeship programmes must evolve to attract young talent and ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills.
Some industry providers have already taken steps to upskill Technicians in areas such as EV technology, but structured, long-term solutions are still lacking. Without modernised training pathways, dealerships will continue to struggle with an ageing workforce and a shrinking talent pool.
A key factor contributing to this is the fluctuation in apprenticeship registrations in recent years, making it harder for dealerships to plan for future workforce needs. The graph below illustrates this inconsistency, showing why relying solely on local hires is no longer a sustainable strategy.
(Source: National Apprenticeship Database - ACSS)
Bridging the Gap: Employment Permits for Mechanics
Recognising the critical shortage of skilled Technicians, the Irish government introduced employment permit quotas in 2023 to attract experienced professionals from outside the EU. As demand continues to outpace supply, the quota was extended in 2024 - evidence that the industry cannot rely on local or EU recruitment alone.
This initiative underscores the urgent need for internationally sourced talent to keep Irish dealerships running efficiently, meet growing aftersales demand and ensure workshops have the expertise required to service both traditional and next-generation vehicles.
This initiative underscores the urgent need for internationally sourced talent to keep Irish dealerships running efficiently, meet growing aftersales demand and ensure workshops have the expertise required to service both traditional and next-generation vehicles.
The Risks of Not Hiring Brand-Certified Technicians
While many dealerships have access to a brand-certified High Voltage Technician (HVT), some are heavily reliant on a single individual for this critical, high-risk work - handling high-voltage batteries. This creates a major vulnerability - what happens if that Technician leaves?
With EV adoption accelerating, dealerships can no longer afford to take a reactive approach to high-voltage expertise. Relying on a single point of failure puts workshop efficiency, customer satisfaction and profitability at risk. A long-term workforce strategy is essential to ensure consistency, safety, and the ability to service next-generation vehicles.
What’s at Stake?
Failing to employ brand-certified Technicians comes with significant risks that directly impact operations, reputation and revenue. Without the right expertise, dealerships face:
In an industry evolving faster than ever, dealerships that fail to invest in highly skilled, brand-certified Technicians risk falling behind their competitors, both in customer trust and profitability.
With EV adoption accelerating, dealerships can no longer afford to take a reactive approach to high-voltage expertise. Relying on a single point of failure puts workshop efficiency, customer satisfaction and profitability at risk. A long-term workforce strategy is essential to ensure consistency, safety, and the ability to service next-generation vehicles.
What’s at Stake?
Failing to employ brand-certified Technicians comes with significant risks that directly impact operations, reputation and revenue. Without the right expertise, dealerships face:
- Longer Repair Times & Inefficiencies – Technicians without manufacturer-specific training may struggle with complex diagnostics and repairs, leading to extended turnaround times, reduced workshop efficiency and frustrated customers.
- Higher Warranty Claim Rates – Incorrect or incomplete repairs can result in repeat failures, increasing warranty claims and straining manufacturer relationships.
- Customer Dissatisfaction & Retention Issues – Customers expect fast, accurate service. Delays, misdiagnoses and repeated repairs can lead to negative reviews, declining loyalty and lost business.
- Reputational Damage – A dealership known for inconsistent service and recurring issues risks harming its credibility, driving away long-term customers and making it harder to attract new business.
- Service Bottlenecks & Lost Revenue – When service teams are stretched thin, scheduling backlogs increase, reducing a dealership’s ability to take on new work and impacting overall profitability.
- Struggles with EV & Advanced Technology – As EV adoption and ADAS technology grow, dealerships without certified Technicians may be unable to keep up, leading to service gaps, frustrated customers and lost revenue opportunities.
- Increased Pressure on Existing Staff – A lack of skilled Technicians puts Service Advisors, Service Managers and Technicians under immense pressure, leading to burnout, job dissatisfaction and higher staff turnover.
In an industry evolving faster than ever, dealerships that fail to invest in highly skilled, brand-certified Technicians risk falling behind their competitors, both in customer trust and profitability.
The ROI of Hiring Brand-Certified Technicians
While hiring a brand-certified Technician may command a higher salary, the true cost of not hiring the right expertise is far greater. These professionals aren’t just an expense - they are revenue generators who drive workshop efficiency and profitability.
Brand-certified Technicians:
Brand-certified Technicians:
- Increase productivity, allowing service departments to complete more jobs per day.
- Improve customer satisfaction, leading to better retention, positive reviews and repeat business.
- Enhance dealership reputation, positioning it as a trusted service provider.
- Reduce costly warranty claims and prevent reputational damage from incorrect repairs.
- Directly contribute to revenue through multiple income streams:
- Labour Sales – An efficient Technician ensures maximum productivity in the workshop, optimising billable hours and reducing downtime.
- Parts Sales – With every completed repair, Technicians drive parts turnover, supporting a steady and profitable supply chain.
- Empty bays = lost revenue – Every idle bay represents missed labour and parts sales, limiting a dealership’s ability to maximise its earning potential.
The Advantage of Global Talent in Brand-Certified Technicians
While Irish dealerships aim to hire skilled, brand-certified Technicians locally, the talent pool is limited. Many are now recognising that looking internationally is not just a necessity but a strategic advantage.
Internationally sourced Technicians often bring:
With aftersales playing a critical role in dealership profitability, securing the right talent isn’t just about filling vacancies, it’s about staying ahead of the competition. Dealerships that embrace international recruitment are gaining access to top-tier professionals who elevate workshop performance and service quality, ensuring long-term stability in an increasingly competitive market.
Internationally sourced Technicians often bring:
- The latest manufacturer training in EV technology and advanced diagnostics.
- Experience in high-volume, cutting-edge workshops, where they have worked with the latest equipment and repair techniques.
- A high level of productivity and efficiency, helping dealerships meet demand and reduce service bottlenecks.
With aftersales playing a critical role in dealership profitability, securing the right talent isn’t just about filling vacancies, it’s about staying ahead of the competition. Dealerships that embrace international recruitment are gaining access to top-tier professionals who elevate workshop performance and service quality, ensuring long-term stability in an increasingly competitive market.
Conclusion: A Strategic Approach to Hiring
Holding out for a local Technician may seem like the safer choice, but with a limited and inconsistent talent pool, many dealerships find themselves wasting time and resources on job ads that generate few qualified applicants. Meanwhile, the pressure on existing teams intensifies, with every empty bay representing lost revenue, service delays and customer frustration.
Rather than waiting for the perfect local hire, forward-thinking dealerships are securing their future by acting decisively - whether through local or international recruitment. Those who invest in skilled, brand-certified Technicians today gain a clear competitive advantage, ensuring workshop stability, higher efficiency, and long-term profitability in an evolving industry.
Rather than waiting for the perfect local hire, forward-thinking dealerships are securing their future by acting decisively - whether through local or international recruitment. Those who invest in skilled, brand-certified Technicians today gain a clear competitive advantage, ensuring workshop stability, higher efficiency, and long-term profitability in an evolving industry.
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