In an early sign that the automotive industry may be winning back the hearts and minds of the next generation of recruits, motoring advocacy bodies are reporting increased interest and numbers at career days.
The Motor Trade Association SA/NT T reported a record turnout of more than 500 students, teachers and parents at Automotive Careers Day event held on the eve of National Skills Week 2024.
The event held over Thursday and Friday at the Training and Employment Centre at Royal Park showcased seven interactive automotive stations with hands on activities for the students that included specific collision repair skill sets.
The displays featured an in-booth spray gun experience, panel dent removal and spot welding, paint mixing along with a range of virtual reality vehicle service and painting experiences.
Other mechanical skills and arrange of classic and emergency vehicles were aimed at displaying the breadth and diversity within the industry.
The turnout follows positive results reported by the skills promoter the Australian Collision Industry Alliance which reported multiple expressions of interest from careers display in Townsville, Brisbane and Perth.
The ACIA will look to link up these 15 potential recruits with businesses, in the led up to more career events in Cairns and Tasmania this month.
MTA SA/NT CEO Darrell Jacobs says the two-day event in Adelaide had succeeded in changing the perception about what rewarding career options in automotive looked like.
“By opening up our facilities and providing hands on experiences to young people and their influencers, we are opening their minds to the diversity of rewarding pathways available” he says.
Urrbrae Agricultural High School VET/Career Pathways Coordinator Annasophia Hamilton says the event was not only relevant for students in seeing what they could potentially be working with but was also enjoyable for them.
“The energetic workshop, with its state-of-the-art equipment and apprentices actively training while we toured, gave them a clear picture of what their apprenticeship experience could be when they go to trade school.”
Moonta Area School student Leylani says the event was an opportunity to expand her knowledge of the different career pathways available.
“Although Heavy Diesel initially drew me in, I enjoyed learning about different trades like paint and panel at the various stations. The event really helped me gain a clearer perspective on my career options.”
The MTA was promoting the message ‘VET is a game changer’.
“Whether through electric vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems or CANbus and electrical systems, we are excited to showcase technology and innovation in automotive.” Jacobs says.
“We recognise that skill shortages remain an ongoing challenge for the automotive industry, but through events like the MTA Careers Day, we are confident that even more young people will start a career in automotive.
“We have already signed up a number of young people into an automotive apprenticeship at the event and we expect to see even more in the weeks and months ahead.”
MTA Training and Employment currently trains more than 1,100 apprentices across South Australia, employing 400 full time and 50 school-based apprentices through its group training arm.