Looking for new technicians? Think local.

The Associated Equipment Distributors has re-released the results of a 2008 study of equipment technician recruitment for a good reason — not much has changed. As outlined by a focus group of equipment managers in Equipment World magazine’s May issue, recruiting issues are not easily solved.

59 percent of techs live within 50 miles of their hometown

Two things resonated in the AED study: Since 59 percent of techs interviewed worked within 50 miles of their hometown — defined as where they grew up and went to school — and 82 percent lived within 100 miles, the research concluded a dealer’s  largest pool of potential future technicians are locals. The same would be true of contractors, who often compete with dealers for the same technicians. And to make your search really local, look inside your own organization, a point I made in my June editorial.

Another interesting finding: Almost all the technicians surveyed complained about the high cost of their tools,  most of which come straight out of their pockets. Perhaps an area for recruitment: You agree to pay a percentage of their tool costs after they’ve successfully completed a probationary period.

What recruiting methods work for you? What’s frustrating?