Tag: apprenticeships

Several Australian automotive industry bodies have criticised the federal government’s decision to halve apprenticeship incentives from January 2026, warning that the cut will worsen the automotive sector’s chronic skills shortage and ultimately cost consumers through higher repair bills and longer wait times. The government plans to cut the Priority Hiring Incentive from $5000 to $2500 … Continue reading Auto industry slams apprenticeship incentive cuts

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the workforce, many young Australians are pivoting away from traditional white-collar careers in favour of skilled trades. This growing trend, coined the “AIxiety Pivot”, is largely driven by concerns over job security, the cost of education and a desire for more control over career paths. According to a Zety report, … Continue reading AI-ronic skills shortage hope

VASA member workshop Elizabeth Auto Electrics has made history by hosting the 100th dual trade apprentice enrolled through MTA Training and Employment’s nation-leading program. Alexander Adcock joined the northern Adelaide business as demand for advanced automotive skills accelerates in response to the federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard and the rapid uptake of hybrid and … Continue reading VASA member hosts 100th dual trade apprentice through MTA SA/NT

Australia’s automotive sector is receiving unprecedented support through new training programs, funding boosts and innovative apprenticeship models as governments and industry bodies work to address critical skills shortages across the trade sector. The push includes everything from electric vehicle maintenance courses to agricultural machinery training, with significant financial backing aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures while … Continue reading Trade workforce gets expanded support, training and recognition

From left: Rod Camm, Benjamin Ward, Graeme Whickman, Rob Cameron and Stuart Charity

The automotive service sector’s skills shortage has reached crisis point, with apprenticeship numbers plummeting 25 per cent last year – and it’s affecting everyone from main dealers to independent workshops. Encouragingly, industry leaders are publicly acknowledging that this isn’t a problem any single sector can solve alone. During a panel session at this year’s Autocare … Continue reading Skills crisis hits breaking point: Industry leaders finally talk collaboration

Major vocational training reform in New Zealand promises to give the automotive sector greater control over apprenticeships and traineeships. It involves a departure from the centralised model under Te Pūkenga, the country’s Institute of Skills and Technology and aims to ensure work-based programmes are more closely aligned with industry needs and job realities. The shift … Continue reading NZ auto industry welcomes vocational training reform

Industry leaders and organisations are sounding alarms about a deepening skills shortage in the automotive sector, although there are glimmers of hope. According to Capricorn group CEO Brad Gannon, half of the automotive co-op’s members identified finding skilled staff and apprentices as their biggest business challenge. The shortage has persisted for more than a decade, … Continue reading Skills shortage insights

MTA Queensland has expanded the Women in Trades Apprenticeship Mentoring Program it launched in 2024, broadening support for female apprentices statewide to boost participation and retention in the automotive industry. Operated in partnership with mentoring provider Busy Sisters and funded by the Queensland Government to provide access to one-on-one mentoring and career guidance, the program … Continue reading MTAQ expands Women in Trades apprenticeship mentoring program

The automotive sector is driving a boost in the number of young Australians pursuing refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) as their career of first choice, reflected in the latest licensing data released by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC). Over the past five years, both Refrigerant Handling Licences (RHLs) and Refrigerant Trading Authorisations (RTAs) have experienced significant … Continue reading More young Australians choosing cool careers

In response to mounting pressure, the Australian Government has broadened the requirements to make it easier for apprentice mechanics to work on electric vehicles (EVs), along with offering an incentive to attract them – a move welcomed by the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA), the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA), and the Australian Automotive … Continue reading Industry welcomes New Energy Apprenticeships payment broadening for EV technicians