The race to capture the attention for the next generation of automotive industry recruits is on and one OEM has got off to a good start with its apprenticeship program in Victoria.
About 40 young people gained an introduction to Nissan’s NISSMAP (Nissan Mentored Apprenticeship Program) at their Mulgrave headquarters to gain an insight into potential careers in the industry.
The program that the OEM launched in 2011 and has since seen some 600 young people complete an automotive technician apprenticeship through Nissan’s national service centre network – the fifth-largest dealer network in Australia.
Industry wide issue
Recent figures indicate there may be a shortfall of 40,000 workers in the automotive industry including general service, collision repair and other skills areas of the aftermarket.
Groups like the Australian Collision Industry Alliance have been set up to directly tackle the skills shortage in the collision repair industry and have been actively lobbying and appearing at careers events to change perceptions in young people about careers in automotive.
This includes generating 15 active ‘leads’ from potential future recruits at recent careers days in Queensland and Perth.
The MTA SA/NT was also promoting an attendance of more than 400 interested students at a two day automotive trade insight last week, highlighting the competition to secure the best in future talent.
Completion Rates
Part of the NISSMAP program is about exposing the potential recruits to modern and innovative technology as exemplified by the Nissan vehicles, like the Nissan GT-R, Nissan Z and Nissan LEAF
Nissan claims the NISSMAP retention rate is almost double the industry average of 49 per cent, with 87 per cent of participants retained in the industry.
Ninety per cent of participants qualify in just two years and eight months, compared to the usual four years, utilising fast-tracking of skills and competencies.
Nissan National Manager Dealer Training Alisha Gray says the success rates of the program highlights its
“The award-winning NISSMAP program was started with a simple goal – to provide young women and men across Australia with the support, mentoring and skills they need to embark on an exciting career in the automotive industry,” Gray says.
“In the 11 years since launch it has achieved that and so much more, reporting incredible qualification and staff retention rates, and creating a new generation of enthused and engaged automotive technicians.”
The NISSMAP program operates in Victoria, NSW, QLD and WA, and an expansion into South Australia is expected over the next 12 months.