There aren’t many names as well known in the Australian automotive industry as Pedders. The company that is, perhaps, best known for its work with suspension system components but which also produces brake systems, lift kits and a wide variety of other parts, was founded in 1950 in Melbourne and now has over 120 outlets across Australia and is a global concern.
Like all companies involved with Australia’s automotive industry, Pedders is keen to see the next generation of technicians and automotive professionals progress and move the industry forward.
Recognising that need saw the company team up with MTA Queensland recently to expand an evening event being held at its Lawnton, north Brisbane, facility to include a presentation to students of the career opportunities and prospects attainable with Pedders and the wider industry.
The event included a tour of the impressive Lawnton workshop and warehouse, while Scott Pedder, Managing Director of Pedders and one of the nation’s top rally drivers, was also on hand to speak to the students. A special treat for the youngsters was the opportunity to take a good look around Scott Pedder’s rally car – a top-spec Skoda Fabia R5 – which he is piloting in this year’s Australian Rally Championship.
25 students attended the event, with Tegan Crossman, MTA Queensland’s Automotive Schools Program Coordinator, bringing together participants from the MTA Institute’s Auto Ready program and from local schools with which MTA Queensland has relationships.
For Daryn Brims, Director of the DPD Group which has four Pedders stores across the southeast, including the Lawnton site which hosted the event, it was a tremendously positive evening.
The company has even taken on an attendee from the event as an apprentice.
“It was a very successful night,” he said. “Scott Pedder addressed the whole group first about the careers and opportunities within the automotive industry and gave some examples of the Pedders shock absorber service, business, and scope. Then we gave them a workshop tour, a warehouse tour, and a shop tour and, as we are in the retail industry, spoke about the importance of being able to communicate clearly with customers and your workmates . . . We were also lucky to have our state trainer there to explain his career pathway at Pedders.
“It was a success for the students and it’s always good to get together with MTA Queensland and work to enhance our trade.”
Feedback from the students was, not surprisingly, also very positive.
“I was just hoping to learn more about certain cars; how they work and how to pull them apart, fix them, and put them back together . . .” said Rachel Buchanan, a Year 10 student from Ipswich State High School. “It was good knowing how things work and how different industries do different things. It was good for them to suggest you walk in and talk to the person in charge and look at apprenticeships or jobs. They were also very welcoming to all genders, especially the females.”
MTA Queensland is making a concerted push to assist the industry through the current workforce and skills challenge by building strong relationships with schools and industry partners to showcase the exciting and varied career opportunities within the industry. The success of this initial Pedders event has been such that more are planned in the future.
“We’ve spoken about doing more events in the 2025 calendar,” said Mr Brims. “More of these nights is what we need so we can get in front of young students and showcase opportunities in our industry.”
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 (August 2024)
30 August 2024