Russia faces a notable shortage of skilled auto repair specialists, with service stations increasingly seeking capable auto mechanics and experts in diagnosing electronic systems. This concern was highlighted by Irina Kulieva, the HR director at Fit Service, in discussions with socialbites.ca.
She noted a troubling trend: toward the end of the previous year, the pool of applicants for automotive roles hovered around 1.7 candidates per vacancy. In the opening months of 2023 this figure slipped to about 1.6 and then 1.5. The scarcity is even sharper among frontline workers, where the average shows roughly 0.9 candidates per opening nationwide. In other words, fewer than one person applies for each open position on average, a level markedly lower than what is seen in many other industries. (Source: socialbites.ca)
According to Kulieva, the demand is strongest for auto mechanics and specialists in diagnostics of vehicle electronics. This shortage persists even though data from 2022 showed a rise in the average salary for car mechanics, climbing by about 15 percent to around 66 thousand rubles per month. (Source: socialbites.ca)
Several factors are contributing to the staffing gap. For more than two decades, the market has shifted away from traditional skilled trades toward office-based work, and the number of younger workers entering the field remains limited. Population declines in certain regions also weigh on the talent pool, amplifying recruitment challenges for service networks. (Source: socialbites.ca)
Industry observers emphasize that deceptive practices have become a concern in car service centers. Jan Haytseer, formerly Vice President of the National Automobile Association, noted that the most common schemes today involve using low-quality spare parts, topping up fake engine oil, and pressuring customers to pay for additional, often unneeded, services. These insights underscore the broader context in which service centers operate, balancing workforce shortages with the need to maintain trust and quality in maintenance work. (Source: NAU, socialbites.ca)