The collision industry’s peak advocacy body for solving the skills issues is reporting a genuine excitement among young people as they look to the future careers.
The Australian Collision Industry Association (ACIA) completed a multi-step tour of Australia to showcase why a future in spray painting and panel beating is brimming with opportunity.
The tour took them the length of the entire east coast of the continent from Hobart to, Cairns where they worked with schools, repairers and local members to promote opportunities in collision repair for the next generation of apprentices.
The news comes in the lead up to a Capricorn State of the Nation report which highlighted finding skilled workers remained the strongest concern for collision repair workshops with 69 per cent of survey respondents citing it as the top conern, 16 per cent higher than the automotive average.
Despite skills shortages being a constant factor in the six-year survey, it also found that apprentices are highly optimistic about the future with 80 per cent remaining upbeat about the future.
Future focussed
The objective, through telling stories from experience repairers and getting g their hands on the tools, is to answer the key question the young people have, ‘Where do I start?’
“The message is clear; there’s real excitement out there about careers in the collision industry, “ the ACIA says in a statement.
“With every event, ACIA is forging connections, opening doors, and shaping the future of the industry, one apprentice at a time.”
The tour has also resulted in multiple work experience placements and a special visit to Cobham Youth Justice Centre Try-a-Trade to give young people an opportunity and idea of a fruitful future they may never have been exposed to
A visit to the Hobart Fearless Festival also celebrated women in trades and was completed with a Gala Event where guest speakers inspired the next generation with their journeys.
Gratitude
The work done by the ACIA on behalf of the industry is volunteer and they would like to extend special thanks to these contributors.
- Townsville & Cairns: McClure Refinishing, Anne McClure
- Mackay: McClure Refinishing, McCarthy Panel Works, Wholesale Paint Group
- Hobart: AMA Apprenticeship team, female apprentices in spray painting and panel beating, and Anne McClure
- Sydney (YES Work It): Dan Maher (L & M Smash Repairs), Steve Lozenkovski (Bears Auto Group)
- Sydney (Cobham YJC): Sam Street, Steve Lozenkovski, Dan Maher
- Perth (July): AMA, Ash Jardine (Bodyshop Solutions), Dale Wesley (Dalcos Accident Repair Centre)
How you can help
Members who want to learn more, get involved, and share ideas to assist ACIA in planning our activities for 2026, please attend the exclusive member-only Leaders Lunch on Thursday, 20 November, on the Gold Coast. For more details, visit www.theacia.com.au/events or email info@theacia.com.au.
In October when ACIA showcases the industry at the 2025 Careers Advisers Association Annual Conference in Sydney, providing an opportunity to engage with over 450 teachers and advisors from Sydney and the ACT.