This is a very interesting discussion on a very important topic. Along with a partner, I own and manage an automotive repair shop. It is not the same as a heavy ag shop but has many similarities. In thirty five years I have done most everything from cleaning floors, busting tires, wrecker calls, heavy line work, some diesel work. Now I mainly do diagnostic, electrical work and quality control. My partner handles the business end. I've never gotten rich, but I have always fed the family. I employ three good young techs. My lowest paid flat rate tech makes $23.50 per billed hour. I pad that a little because I tell my techs that I want quality and I am willing to pay. If they have extra time in a job and they can justify the time I will pay them extra, even if I can't bill the customer. Before we opened the shop, I made $32.00 per hour flat rate at the last shop I worked at. There is a living to be made as a tech. That said, I believe that there are some real problems out there. Even with the unemployment situation right now, it is extremely difficult to hire a young guy. The lack of skills of high school grads, particularly in math and reading is troubling. Over the years, I have worked with a number of trade school grads, and overall, frankly I haven't been particularly impressed. One can indeed make a living and support a family as a tech, but it takes time, training, and commitment. By the way, I have five sons, I've never encouraged them to do this for a living. One of my sons is a journeyman electrician. He makes more money and has better benefits than I do. LOL
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