Competition Grows as Automotive Industry Tackles Technician Shortage

The AAPEX Student Competition is expanding dramatically this year, with nine teams from seven high schools and technical colleges preparing to compete, up from just three teams in its inaugural year. This growth signals mounting industry effort to address a critical workforce gap that directly affects tire maintenance, wheel alignment, balancing, and broader repair services across the country.

The competition tasks student teams with a timed challenge: fully disassembling and reassembling a small-block V8 engine before a live audience. Preliminary rounds will narrow the field to four finalists, who will compete for expanded prize packages totaling more than $5,000 for first place, compared to $2,000 last year. The recognition and resources help inspire younger workers to pursue skilled automotive careers during a period when the industry faces a severe technician shortage.

Why the Technician Shortage Matters to You

student team building engine assembly
Photo by Tri Vo

According to the TechForce Foundation, the U.S. produced fewer than half of the 241,842 automotive technicians needed last year alone. The organization projects a shortfall of 1.2 million auto technicians over the next five years. This gap has real consequences for consumers: when fewer qualified professionals are available, wait times for tire service, repairs, and maintenance can stretch longer, and your options for reliable shops may become more limited.

Tire maintenance and wheel alignment services depend on well-trained technicians who understand modern vehicle systems. When shops struggle to find and keep skilled staff, service quality and availability suffer. That is why industry leaders and educators are investing in student competitions and recruitment efforts. Bernard Tansey, owner of Euro Clinic in Santa Clara, California, and a key organizer of the AAPEX competition, emphasized that this event serves as a national stage for aspiring technicians. “It takes initiative for students to sign up for this and work ethic to perform, which are characteristics many employers find desirable,” he noted.

Student Teams Bringing Energy and Skill

The nine competing teams represent diverse backgrounds and skill levels. Jack Stow, an ASE-certified master technician and instructor with North Kansas City Schools, is coaching an all-female team this year after guiding last year’s winning Kansas high school team to first place. Another standout group comes from Heritage High School in Palm Bay, Florida, where instructor Michael Broud is bringing two students with impressive automotive experience: one who builds dirt bikes and another who has tuned his Mazda to produce over 600 horsepower.

Bob Parmley, an automotive instructor at Arapahoe Community College in Colorado, shared why participation surged: “After attending last year’s event and sharing my experiences with the class, my students were instantly hooked. While classroom instruction and lab work build a vital foundation, nothing compares to stepping into the heart of the global automotive industry.” This enthusiasm from educators and students is precisely what the industry needs to fill pipelines for skilled tire and wheel technicians.

Growing Industry Support and Sponsorship

The expansion reflects strong backing from major automotive aftermarket companies and tool manufacturers. Duralast Parts, owned and operated by AutoZone Inc., supplies the engines for competition. Dorman Products provides engine stands, while Milwaukee Tool and Carlyle Tools sponsor winning team prizes. Additional supporters include Snap-on Incorporated, SP Tools USA, Lisle Corporation, and SureWerx, demonstrating that equipment and tool suppliers recognize the importance of cultivating the next generation of technicians.

The Auto Care Association Tool & Equipment Community coordinated sponsorships, tools, and prize packages. AAPEX also upgraded the event venue with stadium-style seating and large-screen televisions after last year’s unexpectedly large crowds, reflecting growing public interest in the competition and the careers it represents.

What This Expansion Means for Shop Capacity

classroom automotive training shop
Photo by Erik Mclean

As more students pursue automotive careers and gain hands-on experience through competitions like this, the tire and wheel service industry stands to benefit. When shops expand and invest in new facilities, they need qualified technicians ready to fill those positions. By encouraging young people to develop mechanical skills and professional discipline early, the industry is building its future workforce.

For consumers, this investment matters. A stronger pipeline of trained technicians means more shops will be able to staff their bays, shorter wait times for tire service and alignment, and better quality work across the board. When technicians are in short supply, shops prioritize customers and may turn away work. A larger, more engaged workforce helps service providers handle volume and deliver the quality service you expect.

How to Support These Efforts

The AAPEX Student Competition will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, near Joe’s Garage, with preliminary rounds starting at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the final round beginning at 4 p.m. PT. Attendance is free, and the event offers an exciting way to witness these skilled young technicians in action while supporting an industry initiative addressing a national workforce challenge. Whether you are interested in automotive careers or simply want to see the next generation of tire and wheel technicians in training, the competition is worth your time.