Clark: Closing the technician skills gap for multi-location fleets

For years, fleet operators have faced a persistent and worsening challenge: finding and retaining qualified technicians. What was once a concerning and ongoing labor shortage has now evolved into an operational bottleneck, especially for fleets operating across multiple locations. According to a 2025 report from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), 65.5% of shops were understaffed, with an average of 19.3% of technician positions sitting unfilled. This is more than a staffing issue; it’s a structural challenge that affects productivity, safety, and profitability across the entire fleet ecosystem.

The problem becomes even more complex when considering how technicians enter the field. ATRI also reports that 61.8% of technicians begin their careers without any formal training, requiring an average of 357 hours of instruction and more than $8,000 in trainee wages to get up to speed. That’s a significant investment in time and money, one that fleets must make while simultaneously trying to keep vehicles on the road and customers satisfied.

Fleet diagnostics shift to AI tools and digital technician skills

As vehicles evolve, so must the skill sets of those who maintain them. Today’s technicians need more than mechanical aptitude; they need digital literacy. Advanced diagnostics, telematics systems, and AI-driven tools are becoming as essential as wrenches and sockets.

This shift was front and center at a recent NationaLease meeting, where Peter Golbin, national WFL solutions manager, and Edwin Benitez, director of WFL, both from Lincoln Tech, spoke about an industry in transition. They emphasized that fleet maintenance is no longer just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about understanding increasingly complex systems that are changing at an exponential pace.

Modern trucks are equipped with electronic systems that require precise diagnostic capabilities. Diagnostics is no longer a reactive process; it’s becoming proactive. AI-enabled tools can now help predict issues before they lead to breakdowns, allowing fleets to address maintenance needs in advance.

The stakes are high. Each out-of-service truck costs a fleet an estimated $300 per day, not including the potential reputational damage from missed deliveries or service delays. In this environment, the ability to quickly and accurately diagnose issues is not just a technical advantage; it’s a competitive necessity.

Multi-location fleets face inconsistent maintenance operations

For fleets operating in multiple locations, these challenges are amplified. Training and processes can vary widely from one shop to another, creating inconsistencies that ripple across the organization. Some locations may rely on outdated diagnostic methods, while others adopt newer technologies at different rates. The result is an uneven playing field where performance, safety, and efficiency can vary.

Common issues include:

• Inconsistent maintenance processes across locations
• Different diagnostic approaches among technicians
• A lack of standardized training programs across shop environments

In today’s fast-paced, service-driven market, these inconsistencies lead to unpredictable outcomes.

Standardized fleet maintenance training improves uptime and safety

Fleets must prioritize consistency to overcome these challenges. Standardizing training and diagnostic procedures across all locations is not just a best practice but a strategic imperative.

When fleets enforce consistent processes, the benefits are immediate and measurable:

• Improved safety and compliance: Uniform procedures reduce the risk of errors and ensure adherence to regulatory standards.
• Scalability: As fleets grow, standardized systems make it easier to onboard new technicians and integrate new locations.
• Aligned repair strategies: Consistent approaches lead to more reliable outcomes and higher-quality repairs.

Ultimately, consistency in training leads to stronger operational performance. Fleets experience improved uptime, reduced safety risks, and lower long-term maintenance costs. Perhaps most importantly, technicians, regardless of location or experience level, are empowered to perform at their best.

Moving forward

The technician skills gap isn’t going away anytime soon. But with a strategic approach that combines modern tools, continuous training, and standardized processes, fleets can turn a looming challenge into an opportunity for transformation.

As Golbin and Benitez underscored, the industry is in transition. The fleets that succeed will be those that invest not only in their vehicles but also in their people, equipping them with the knowledge, tools, and consistency needed to thrive in an increasingly complex world.