Finding solutions to the continuing challenge of the skills and workforce shortage within the automotive industry is a top priority for MTA Queensland.
Along with the many programs and initiatives already underway to tackle this issue – including training courses such as Auto Ready, the Automotive Jobs Queensland platform, and the dedicated staff ready to assist businesses with employments issues via the Association’s Workforce Solutions programs – this year, MTA Queensland has teamed up with Capricorn to deliver student-industry careers expos across the State.
These expos, which tie in with Capricorn trade shows, kicked off at the beginning of March in Roma and Toowoomba. Both events proved to be a success with the Toowoomba event being particularly popular with more than 100 school students and their parents in attendance.
Taken around the expo by MTA Queensland and Capricorn representatives, the students were able to meet and ask questions of the many businesses and suppliers, both local and national, that were showcasing their products and technologies, as well as get an idea of the local opportunities and career options available. MTA Queensland was there to give plenty of advice on training and apprenticeship programs and offer guidance on the next steps for those looking to enter the industry.
“We are doing these events because this is a big part of our school-to-work transition strategy to increase the supply of new people coming into our industry,” said Brad Flanagan, Director of Industry Initiatives for MTA Queensland. “So we get kids from the local region – school students and their parents – we take them around, introduce them to different suppliers from the industry, and they get to hear directly from industry practitioners. They get to hear directly from automotive technicians and people who are in sales teams, and people from managerial teams, and hear all about automotive careers and where an automotive apprenticeship and automotive career can take them in life. It’s good to introduce the kids but also their parents. We have found that it is really important – when you want to attract young people into the industry – to also capture the interest of their parents as well.”
For Capricorn, and its members who attend these events, the chance to team up with MTA Queensland and grab the interest of school students looking for the opportunity to start a career is very important. According to Adam Cohen, Capricorn’s Sales Manager for Queensland, every business is feeling the pressure of the skills shortage and hopes that will ease as young people join the industry.
“Our partnership with MTAQ is very important to Capricorn because MTAQ is the voice of our industry” said Adam. “So it was really important that we got together with Brad – Brad was instrumental in putting this together – so that we could really support our members, and bring that next generation into the industry.”
Amongst the dozens of Capricorn members at the expo was Precision Automotive Equipment, which supplies, distributes and services a comprehensive range of workshop equipment across the country. It too recognises the skills crisis affecting the industry and the positive move that the career expo represents.
“It is good to see so many kids come through this afternoon. It gives us a chance to show them what our industry is like, what the opportunities are like and hopefully fix that skill set problem that we are facing at the moment. They are the future, and it can only go up from here,” said Robert Reeves, Key Account Manager at Precision Automotive Equipment.
“I can’t believe how attentive they were, especially when we showed them how to balance a wheel . . . They were certainly engaged, and it was interactive – it was fantastic.”
The breadth of products and services that businesses at the expo offered was, perhaps, a reason for that enthusiasm. There is more to the automotive industry than the business of hands-on vehicle maintenance and repair, and the range of suppliers – of all manner of tools and equipment – at the expo was proof to the students of the very wide range of careers that can be pursued in the industry,
And the students’ enthusiasm was clear to see, with plenty of questions being asked of the exhibitor businesses and enquiries made about jobs and apprenticeships.
“I came here today and was looking for just a general knowledge of automotive, but I came and found all these different new opportunities that I could get involved in and it has given me a lot of things to think about,” said Stephanie Taylor, a 15-year-old student from Harristown State High School.
“I think I have always been interested in doing the hands-on mechanic job but, coming here today, I think a parts interpreter has really caught my imagination and I love that opportunity and it has really sparked something that I could do.
“After being here and experiencing all these new opportunities . . . I love the idea of getting into automotive and I cannot wait to begin a school-based apprenticeship.”
MTA Queensland’s partnership with Capricorn on these Student/Industry Careers expos looks set to continue with several more pencilled in for locations across the state, including in Cairns and Bundaberg.
“We think that by making these valuable connections, it’s more than putting an ad on Seek, more than putting an ad on Indeed – you get to make a personal connection with young people that really want to join this exciting industry,” said Brad.
“We will be out there all over Queensland connecting young people looking for work with employers looking for workers. So get involved and keep an eye on our website as there will be plenty more opportunities.”
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 (March 2024)
13 March 2024