North Carolina’s Leith group recruits techs at Cars and Coffee event. It’s a success.

Leith employs about 1,900 people in the Raleigh-Durham area and sells about 37,000 vehicles a year, new and used. Many factors are driving the need for more technicians, said Mills, who spearheads the effort.

The Raleigh-Durham area is growing, as is Leith, and the tight supply of new vehicles means there’s a lot of service work for vehicles already on the road.

Leith has good retention of its current technicians due to favorable working conditions, Mills said, but there’s always a need for more to support the growth of the business.

“We’re always looking for techs, no matter what store it is,” he said. “From Chrysler to Mercedes and Kia. We need somebody everywhere. That’s one of our biggest hurdles, getting enough technicians — and support staff, for that matter.”

At the show, Leith sets up recruitment displays with a QR code that connects directly to the auto group’s hiring page, where an application can be filled out.

Up to eight employees — including service managers, technicians, service advisers and parts staff — are on hand to answer questions.

“There’s nothing better if you’re looking for a job than to talk to the people that work there already,” Mills said.

The low-pressure environment is an opportunity for informal discussions and “to find out what their goals are, what they’re thinking, maybe why they’re not happy where they are, or if they are happy, are they just looking for a change in life or want to move?” he added.

Leith’s recruitment booth includes brochures and a big-screen TV with a video on a loop that introduces the dealership group and includes testimonials by service technicians.

Leith offers competitive salaries, good benefits and long-term career opportunities, Mills said. Those factors often entice independent technicians from rural areas who want to jump-start their careers.