Hey Guys,

I’ve been working in the Luxury European automotive sector for 8 years – Specifically in the Service department within authorised Mercedes-Benz and BMW dealerships. I have also worked and networked alongside other European dealerships during my 8-years, and have a great relationship with many people from Technicians to General Managers. Over my time, I have noticed the costs of having a lack of technicians on the day. Most commonly, due to the rostered technicians either being on leave, or calling in sick. For example, last financial year, we only had 1 day where the workshop had full attendance. This obviously has a huge effect financially on the dealership, and from a customer experience perspective. Booked jobs are delayed overnight, and recommended work is unable to be carried out as a result.  

My idea is to provide dealerships and smaller local workshops with a service for “Locum Technicians”, similar to how Doctor Clinics have “Locum Doctors” who fill in for General Practitioners if they are away. Ideally, I would contract Technicians who already have experience among the brands and are Certified by the manufacturers to service/repair the vehicles. They would receive a notification/job opportunity at various dealerships across the city and can accept/reject jobs at their own pleasure.

The cost for a dealership to hire a Locum Technician would be significantly higher due to the convenience. I have a family member in the medical field, and know Locum Doctors are paid from $200 – $400 per hour depending on their specialty/experience. They are often well experienced doctors who are looking for some side income or on their way to retirement with something to keep them occupied. I would like some guidance on other people's thoughts for how much a "Locum Technician" could charge per hour.

1. Industry Pain Point

• Technician absenteeism impacts service departments both financially and operationally.
• This directly affects customer satisfaction and dealership efficiency, and I feel many companies would be eager for a solution.

2. Locum Technician Concept

• Scalability: Providing certified locum technicians on demand could address the shortage, particularly for luxury brands where specific expertise is required. This could also eventually scale into other industries.
• Flexibility: The ability for technicians to accept/reject jobs offers flexibility, making it attractive for freelance technicians who may want supplemental income or more control over their schedules. It gives technicians the opportunity to "be their own boss" without having to start their own workshop where a huge capital is required.

3. Target Market

• Luxury Dealerships: Given my experience in this sector, I would start with brands like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. They will need high-caliber, brand-certified technicians to maintain their service quality.
• Smaller Workshops: Independent workshops that work on multiple brands may not always have specialists for certain luxury vehicles. My service could fill that gap.

4. Challenges & Solutions

• Certification & Liability: Only onboard technicians with valid, up-to-date certifications from the manufacturers. I may also need to ensure they have their own insurance coverage or provide coverage through my services. I would assume that since the technicians are contracted, they will not be covered for annual / sick leave.
• Scheduling Platform: This is one that would need extensive Research and Development. Perhaps I could develop a streamlined app or platform to manage notifications, job postings, and responses in real-time. My operation must prioritise efficiency and technician engagement.
• Quality Control: A vetting process to ensure the quality of technicians, since any failure in service can impact the dealership's reputation.

5. Revenue Model

• Commission or Subscription-Based: I could take a commission from each job placed and offer a subscription service to dealerships for access to locum technicians.
• Membership for Technicians: A membership model for technicians could provide exclusive job opportunities and access to specialized training, helping maintain a pool of highly qualified professionals.

With this being so early in the planning the stage, start-up costs and implentation is yet to be confirmed as this is my first time putting this outside of a thought. I just wanted to get some advice and see if you think it's something worth pursuing, or if I should park the idea.

Thanks for your time, I really appreciate any feedback!