I'm a mechanic. More are aging out than are entering the field. Young people come in and leave for a variety of reasons. My employer operates nation wide and has something like 200 mechanic opening nation wide. Talking with an upper boss with 20+ years in says that number was below 50 constantly for years before Y2k and has steadily grown since. This place is top 4 pay in this metro area. We've had an opening vacant for almost a year. Hired one guy, he bailed after 3 days. "Too much paper work." Unemplyed people have bailed on their interview. Starting pay is $75k, overtime if you want it. $100k after 2 years without overtime, good benefits, great shop, transfer anywhere in the country if you want, good career ladder, easy work as far as being a mechanic goes.