The transition to electric vehicles is a reminder of the skills and knowledge required by the collision repair industry to be prepared for whatever vehicle enters the workshop.
The MTA recently gave evidence to the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water’s inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
During public hearings held in Adelaide, MTA general manager media, marketing and policy, Kaes Cillessen and general manager apprenticeships, Jodi Ryan, reiterated to the committee that Australia is likely to see combustion technology play a strong role for decades to come, alongside hybrid and electric vehicles.
The committee heard that a combination of cost of living pressures, in addition to the removal of generous subsidies had moderated last year’s explosion in electric vehicle sales.
“Today, consumers are showing a stronger preference for hybrids and plug in hybrids which are experiencing the greatest surge in sales this year,” Cillessen says.
In recommending policy options, the Committee were encouraged to have a broad perspective.
MTA’s support
“The MTA supports measures to encourage the uptake of all zero and low emission vehicles,” Cillessen says.
“This includes expanding incentives for the purchase of electric, hybrid and plug in hybrid vehicles, as well as reconsidering the sunset on fringe benefits tax for plug in hybrid vehicles.”
Ryan told the committee that more than 10,000 current technicians in South Australia required some form of upskilling in electric vehicles and that new industry entrants also needed to be prepared.
“Apprentices starting in the automotive industry today will require a Swiss army knife of skill sets to be able to work on whatever enters the workshop,” Ryan says.
Following the Adelaide hearing, Committee members then toured the MTA’s state-of- the-art Training and Employment Centre in Royal Park as part of the inquiry.
During the tour, committee chair Tony Zappia MP, deputy chair David Gillespie, and committee member Dan Repacholi, spoke with technicians upskilling to work on electric vehicles and learned more about why the MTA Training and Employment are nation leaders in electric vehicle training.
The committee heard from the MTA how dual trade apprenticeships offered by the MTA Training and Employment, an Australian first, is adapting to meet the skills shortage in the industry.
“Rather than having two technicians doing two different roles, dual trade apprentices become super-technicians who can work on it all,” Ryan says.
“Apprentices starting today need to have auto- electrical and electric vehicles knowledge by the time they complete their training in five years’ time.”
The submission follows advocacy by multiple motoring industry bodies including the AAAA and the MTAA about the need for more support for the repair industry to meet the transition to a low emissions car parc.