Australia’s newest repair industry advocacy body will take its campaign to the nation’s capital in the latest step in its country wide tour to create a cohesive voice.
The Australian Collision Industry Alliance will hold an information session in Canberra on Thursday December 7.
The organisation was set up in June 2023 to combat the chronic skills shortage and aging workforce in the sector by promoting the rewarding careers available and ensure the sustainability of the collision repair industry by attracting and retaining staff.
Since that time it has crossed the continent and visited most state capitals in its drive to attract industry members to the cause.
The ACIA will hold the latest information night at Canberra Institute of Technology in Fyshwick and hopes to attract a cross section of industry players including repairers, insurance company personnel, suppliers and training providers.
Founding board member Rob Bartlett has told NCR getting a comprehensive cross section of members from the industry as possible will help in the ACIA being a strong and representative body to tackle the key issue across a number of levels.
“There are memberships for smaller members, it’s affordable and available to all sorts of shops and industry members,” he says.
Bartlett has also stressed that overcoming recruitment issues will be critical to ensure the industry is viable and can continue to play its critical role in the the economy.
“And it’s absolutely vital: If you can’t fix cars, you can’t insure them. And if you can’t fix cars, then the fleet rolls to a stop and the economic impact is just enormous and will start to put problems in the way of Australia’s commercial success.”
The not-for-profit entity will focus on co-ordinating industry stakeholders including collision repairers, industry suppliers, insurers, dealer groups and OEMs in funding and driving programs for attracting new talent to the industry.
The event will be held at the Canberra Institute of Technology, 81 Mildura Street, Fyshwick from 6 to 7.o0pm, December 7, followed by a networking event at the Eastlake Football Club, 3 Oxley Street, Griffith.
Register to attend by clicking here.