Service-sector crunch tightens

Employers play attraction and retention game

Mike Lohman is feeling like a VIP lately.

Lohman, an instructor in the Front Range Community College post-secondary automotive program, said area auto dealerships and service shops are glad to see him come through their doors. Glad, because he’s there to offer them some help.

“At one time I really had to work hard to get kids placed,” Lohman said. “Now I can almost broker them. I’m a lot more welcome.”

Welcome because the area’s labor shortage has not bypassed the automotive industry. Automotive technicians (aka mechanics), auto-body technicians, drivers and even car washers are hard to come…