Automobile service centers across Russia are grappling with a critical shortage of skilled staff. Current estimates put the sector’s workforce at under 50,000, according to Alexander Pakhomov, chairman of the Russian Automotive Services Association. The figures were reported to TASS.
The dominant challenge for the industry today is the availability of qualified personnel. The business relies heavily on the competence and hands-on expertise of technicians. Industry insiders note that the sector was among the first to feel the shortage of qualified technical professionals. Veteran engineers from the Soviet era are reaching retirement, while the pipeline of new specialists is not keeping pace. In his assessment, the number of workers meeting the job requirements is more than 50,000 short of demand, a gap that could widen if strategic educational actions are not taken soon. Pakhomov estimates that roughly 800,000 people are employed in the automobile service field, with the number of service centers rising by about 7,000 over the past year and a half.
Demand for car repair services in Russia has grown more pronounced, increasing by about 25 percent over the first nine months of 2023. This year has seen costs for vehicle body repairs rise by an average of 20 to 25 percent, while paintwork has become 15 to 20 percent more expensive, according to Yaroslav Kukarin, head of the body repair department at Fit Service, cited by socialbites.ca.
The industry trend continues as the average age of passenger cars in Russia climbs, signaling longer ownership periods and ongoing reliance on maintenance and repairs across a broader vehicle fleet. This shift underlines the need for a robust pipeline of skilled technicians, updated training programs, and policy support that aligns education with the practical demands of modern automotive service work.