With automotive workplaces across Queensland continuing to battle ongoing skill and workforce shortages, developing pathways that promote entry to a career in the industry for aspiring school students is a key strategy for MTA Queensland.
With this in mind, MTA Queensland partnered with Capricorn Society in 2024 to host a series of automotive careers expos in regions across the state, aimed at connecting students seeking to learn more about commencing an apprenticeship or career in automotive with local employers looking for their next star apprentice, trainee, or employee.
Following successful expos in Roma, Toowoomba, Cairns, and Bundaberg, the event came to Brisbane in May of this year, where 17-year-old high-school student Trsla Bhatnagar came along to learn more about the career opportunities available to her.
At the event, Trsla connected with Brennden Alder, the Sales and Marketing Manager at Exhaust Clean Australia in Beenleigh, who attended the event to promote the opportunities available with one of the nation’s leading vehicular exhaust cleaning services. Following the interaction, Trsla reached out to MTA Queensland’s Automotive Schools Program Coordinator, Tegan Crossman, to assist in organising a week’s work experience, which occurred during the recent school holidays.
“I’ve learnt so much this week, it has been so busy but so enjoyable,” said Trsla. “Exhaust Clean Australia’s specialty is exhausts, so I’ve worked a lot with Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) and the chemicals involved with cleaning out the soot and carbon build-up which is super interesting. I will be able to take what I’ve learned and use it on my own car which is great.
“I got to work on a variety of different cars over the week. We had a Ford and a heap of Range Rovers, and I enjoyed revving up the cars to watch how the sensors and emissions systems work.”
With Exhaust Clean Australia offering services that can be niche compared to the regular automotive workshop, Brennden said he was incredibly happy with how Trsla took to the learning experience.
“We did a few DPF’s, Catalytic Converters, Selective Catalyst Reduction Catalysts, a bit of everything really, and I was really impressed with how Trsla got stuck in and soaked up everything the team was teaching her,” said Brennden. “It’s quite hands-on work and can get very dirty, so it’s interesting to see how people react to that, but she loved it. At one point, I pointed out that she had soot all over her, and she just said ‘Yeah, so do the other guys’. She was completely unfazed!”
While the opportunity to offer a work experience placement comes with numerous benefits for the participants, Brennden explained that his team of staff also got a lot out of the experience.
“Working in the workshop all day, you get used to doing your job autonomously, so when someone comes in asking questions about everything you’re doing and showing such enthusiasm, it does make you think about all the skills you have learnt and it’s quite rewarding to be able to explain what you are doing,” said Brennden. “I wouldn’t say the guys were showing off, but they were very thorough in going over the correct processes and were happy to explain what they were doing. I think they got a lot out of it.
“I’ve attended a few of the MTA Queensland/Capricorn careers events now and they have been a great outlet for talking to students with a real interest in the automotive industry. I would recommend going along and offering a work experience placement.”
For Trsla, while a career in the automotive industry isn’t necessarily the ultimate goal, the skills and experience she has taken from the week with Clean Exhaust Australia has been really beneficial.
“Having recently just got my own car as well, having that deeper understanding of vehicles, how to look after them, and knowing what a mechanic is talking about when I take my car in for a service is very important and I have definitely learnt a lot about this over this week.”
School-to-Work Transitions is part of the Queensland Government’s Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022 – 2032.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (July 2024)
11 July 2024