The Motor Traders’ Association of New South Wales (MTA NSW) urges the New South Wales Minns Labor government to better support the industry’s future amidst growing economic challenges.
That’s in the lead up to the NSW’s state budget 2023-2024 announcement on Tuesday September 19.
MTA NSW asks the government to offer more support to the auto industry, amid growing skills shortages, poor apprenticeship outcomes, and the need for a more skilled workforce.
The pre-budget submission seeks to ensure the automotive sector, particularly small businesses, is supported in three key areas – tackling the ongoing skills shortage, improving apprenticeship outcomes, and upskilling the workforce for the future.
The recommendations follow the industry association’s calls for the government to keep the EV rebate in place to facilitate a more sustainable automotive future for New South Wales.
MTA NSW sees the value in the EV rebate as it will encourage consumer adoption, assist with industry transition and help achieve the net zero targets proposed.
The recommendations are vital to ensuring the industry remains strong in coming years, says MTA NSW chief executive Stavros Yallouridis.
“The automotive industry has faced countless challenges in recent years when it comes to finding skilled workers, attracting apprentices, and preparing for a shift towards EVs, but we are confident that with support from the state government’s budget, businesses can come out stronger than ever,” he explains.
“The recommendations we’re putting forward aren’t a wish list – they are essential to protecting the future of the automotive industry that so many rely on here in Australia.”
The chronic shortage of skilled workers within the automotive sector has become a tangible daily hurdle for businesses over the past several years. This shortage translates to extended wait times for customers, added pressure on existing staff, and a growth bottleneck that hinders the industry’s potential amidst rapid changes to the number of EVs on the road, MTA NSW adds.
It believes a comprehensive regulatory overhaul is needed to improve the number of skilled workers. A more adaptable and responsive approach will help to attract skilled talent and provide greater opportunities and recognition to technicians who have honed their craft within dealerships or manufacturing chains, says MTA NSW.
Following a period of low enrolment levels for automotive apprentices, MTA NSW has also recommended a range of measures to improve apprenticeship outcomes. This includes educating employers on the available avenues to bring apprentices onto shop floors quickly, reintroducing state-funded mentorship schemes.
As the industry prepares for a major shift from internal combustion engines to electric batteries and hydrogen fuel cells, MTA NSW is calling for the state budget to invest in training programs that will upskill the current workforce.
This will not only help businesses evolve to meet the changing demands of consumers as EVs become more commonplace but is essential to maintaining a safe work environment for technicians, it says.
Yallouridis warns that without support from the state government’s 2023-2024 budget, many automotive businesses will struggle.
“The automotive sector is on the cusp of a major transformation and we need government assistance to ensure our workshops have the skilled employees and training we need to successfully navigate the future,” he says.
The association has repeatedly called for the government to implement a national EV strategy to facilitate upskilling of technicians ahead of greater demand for EV services.
It has recently launched a new trade publication too.
