Why Technicians Are Leaving and How to Keep Them

By Anthony Calhoun

A current GM technician with 25+ years in the industry and 7 years managing service departments I explain why the industry is losing techs-and how to fix it without scrapping flat rate or overpaying.

I did not write this because I realized how much money dealerships are losing from technician turnover (though that's a real problem).

I wrote it because I've seen way too many young, promising guys-and even great, experienced techs-leave the industry entirely. It saddens me every time.

I love this trade. I want to see dealerships succeed, bays stay full, and techs build long careers here.

This is the practical manager training and coaching I truly believe high-turnover shops need to turn things around.

Empty bays bleed thousands a month. Turnover costs $50k-$90k per tech. Techs aren't leaving for pay alone-they're leaving because the desk doesn't get the bay reality. It looks into the Flat rate mind set, the gap between service managers and technicians.

From my own experience and research I explain the problems technicians face and why they end up leaving the industry,

How flat-rate techs really think (counting tenths of an hour, plotting 10+ hours, protecting flow)Why interruptions and poor management cause frustrated techs and bad efficiency.Simple ways to earn real respect: be a doer, defend your team, learn basics, protect every minuteRealistic onboarding for new hires

Straight to the point. If you're a service manager, fixed-ops director, or owner tired of hiring and losing techs, this is the book that finally explains why they leave and shows how to keep them.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GPQCMN7K
• ISBN13: 9798249461188
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"