Becker Business Podcast Summary

Episode Title:
Andrew Walker of Under Hood Insights on Solving the Technician Shortage With AI and Smarter Training
Host: Scott Becker
Guest: Andrew Walker, Co-Founder of Under Hood Insights, Master Automotive Technician
Date: January 12, 2026

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Scott Becker interviews Andrew Walker, an experienced automotive master technician and co-founder of Under Hood Insights. The conversation centers on the acute shortage of technicians in the auto repair trade, the evolving requirements of technical training, and how AI-powered tools are being developed to support both car owners and new technicians. Andrew shares his journey from technician to entrepreneur, highlights the launch of their first app "Tammy," and unpacks the motivations behind their innovative solutions for the automotive service industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Technician Shortage in Automotive Trades

• Industry Problem: There is a growing and worsening shortage of skilled technicians in auto repair, largely due to aging workforce, lack of younger entrants, and insufficient training.

  • "Shop owners are noticing it. I mean, they're probably feeling it more so than anything... The problem is we have guys that have spent 30 years in the industry in a bay. And they're about to retire." — Andrew Walker [02:21]

• Impact on Career Choices: The automotive trade was historically under-promoted and underpaid for younger generations, leading to a lack of interest and clear career pathways.

  • "Nobody was really pushing it as a kid for us to go do these jobs. They weren't paying very well." — AW [02:41]

• Need for Better Pathways: Andrew argues for structured career paths and early skills training to empower and retain new technicians.

  • "If we fix the way that we bring a technician in... and lay out a solid career path for him, instead of leaving him to figure it out on his own, he would most likely stay in this industry." — AW [02:57]

AI-Driven Solutions: Under Hood Insights

• Bootstrapped Innovation: Under Hood Insights is built by experienced technicians seeking to solve real-world shop and training challenges. Andrew highlights the value of expert-driven databases and peer-led product design.

• Tammy App (Technical Assistance and Maintenance Information):

  • Function: Allows car owners to scan repair estimates, leveraging AI to analyze repair orders against a database constructed from technician experience (as opposed to web scraping), offering advice on necessary repairs, upsells, or when charges seem excessive.
  • Access: Free to use, available via their website (www.underhoodinsights.com).
  • "It's called Tammy... it allows you as a car owner to take like an estimate, a repair estimate, scan it with your phone, and then it uses AI to read the repair order. And then it compares it to a database of knowledge that we built..." — AW [04:18]

• FNG App ("New Guys") [In Development]:

  • Goal: Serves as an on-demand, in-pocket mentor for new technicians, delivering real-time guidance for repairs, drastically reducing onboarding time from several years to about one.
  • "A brand new technician to have a master tech in his pocket... I estimate that a brand new guy, you know, could probably... only have to use it for about a year to just be flowing, and normally it takes like three to five years." — AW [05:26]

Training, Education, and Career Advice

• Andrew's Advice to New Technicians:

  • Prioritize structured, ongoing training over quick entry to the workforce — seek shops that invest in early and continual education.
  • "That to me is like building a house without a foundation... even if you are working, if you're at a shop that's not training you from at least like the first couple weeks, you need to find a new shop." — AW [07:11]
  • "You need to be trained for years, your first five to six years." — AW [07:21]

• Personal Drive and Military Experience:

  • Andrew credits his service (including the GI Bill and experience as a Staff Sergeant) for instilling the importance of training, leadership, and initiative.
  • "I kind of like have this natural driving initiative and I kind of know and understand training very well." — AW [07:44]

Leadership Insights

• Andrew on Leadership Principles:
  • Effective leadership centers on motivating teams by connecting them to purpose and providing direction.
  • "If you can motivate people and you can create a drive and also give them purpose for why they're doing that, I think that's the best leadership style to have in general." — AW [08:26]
  • "It's your responsibility to take the time to motivate them... and then direction." — AW [08:49]

Memorable Quotes

• "We need technicians in this industry bad." — Andrew Walker [01:24]
• "If you really get your training and your skills done, you can make good money. I personally make good money doing what I do, which is why I haven't stopped you." — AW [03:24]
• "We are trying to... build that kind of a hub for a technician. But what they can do now is they can focus highly on the training." — AW [07:53]
• "It's. It's your responsibility to take the time to motivate them. You got to find a reason to motivate them. You got to find a reason to give them purpose for what they're doing and then direction." — AW [08:49]

Key Timestamps

• 00:29 — Andrew introduces his background and the origins of Under Hood Insights
• 02:21 — Discussion of the technician shortage and its industry impact
• 04:07 — Launch of Tammy app & description of its unique approach
• 05:26 — FNG app concept: Training new techs via AI mentorship
• 07:03 — Career advice for aspiring technicians
• 08:22 — Leadership lessons learned from the military

Resources Mentioned

• Under Hood Insights Website: www.underhoodinsights.com
• Tammy App: Available now for consumers; scan and analyze repair orders
• FNG App: Training and mentorship app for technicians (in development)

This episode highlights the urgent need for innovation in auto technician training, the opportunities AI brings to automating expertise transfer, and the pivotal role of purposeful leadership in both business and skilled trades. Andrew Walker’s blend of frontline experience, technical know-how, and entrepreneurial drive offers a compelling look at the next generation of automotive service careers.