Skills spotlight

27 April 2023

At TACC, if I ask any of our auto repair members to name the number one challenge they face in business, I’d put odds on the answer being along the lines of ‘we need more people, preferably trained and ready to go’.

Automotive repairers, panel beaters, auto electricians and car dealerships are all having to carefully manage booking schedules to meet customer demand. 

So, attracting people into the automotive trades is our mission, and between TACC and VACC (our Victorian counterpart) we’re giving it a good nudge in the southern states. 

You may have seen our recent AutoCareers bobblehead campaign, or caught Cool Cars with Dermott and Elise on 7mate. These promotions target the career-minded and aim to help launch their careers in the industry. 

At the heart of the matter is our young achievers, and the goals they set for themselves as they contemplate career passions. In my day, all I wanted to do was tinker around with machinery and achieving a trade qualification opened up new a world of learning and achievement.

Gone are the days when the automotive trades were deemed unattractive, unsafe or underpaid. Completing an apprenticeship equips young people with a sought after trade qualification, no HECS debt and a secure future in an industry that’s full of variety and opportunity – from light and heavy vehicles, electric vehicles, and motorcycles to marine work, spray painting and much more.

An apprenticeship also gives people something that others don’t have – automotive industry knowledge and experience to take their next career step. And, trust me, there are many pathways out there!

If you have young people in your life or at your college who demonstrate an interest in automotive, nurture it and give us a call on 03 6278 1611 or visit autocareers.com.au

Words: TACC State Manager Bruce McIntosh. As featured in the Mercury on 28 April 2023.