Last Updated on February 28, 2026 by The HD Post Staff

CALIFORNIA – The California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) Foundation, announced July 10 that it is partnering with Automotive Apprenticeship Group (AAG) to train and place career-minded individuals in California auto dealerships.

The CNCDA Foundation’s two-year apprenticeship offers competitive pay with no out-of-pocket costs or debt.

According to a recent CNCDA survey there is a statewide shortage of about 5,000 technicians among California dealerships. 

“The technician shortage is the result of an aging workforce with many technicians retiring, and a lack of young people entering the field – often due to a misperception that technicians earn low wages and have limited opportunity for advancement,” said CNCDA in a statement.

Experienced technicians, according to the survey, earn $100,000 to more than $200,000 annually once fully certified.

Upon completion apprentices earn a national certification 

CNCDA reports that California dealerships completed 33.8 million repairs on customer vehicles in 2024. California is not alone with this shortage. Nationally there are nearly 400,000 job openings for service technicians.

Apprentices learn and develop skills through on-the-job training at local dealerships, discovery-based e-learning, and hands-on technical training and practice. 

Upon completion of the program, the apprentices earn a national certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. Access to all necessary tools and a computer are provided to all apprentices.

Several apprentices have already enrolled in the program

For dealerships, AAG provides a turnkey solution – handling recruitment, training, payroll, insurance, mentoring and education for each apprentice.

CNCDA Foundation president Kim McPhaul said for a young adult or anyone who is career-minded, being an auto technician is a career that can support a person for the rest of their life.

“The key to addressing the technician shortage is to take a holistic approach to the challenges of identifying, vetting, teaching, hiring, and retaining good, long-term, committed career technicians.”

While just ramping up in California, several apprentices have already enrolled in the program and are paired with dealerships. 

For more information visit https://www.cncdafoundation.org/apprenticeship