Tag: skills

Women technicians needed!

Australia’s automotive aftermarket sector faces a severe and ongoing skills shortage, with nearly 40,000 technicians urgently needed across the country. Yet despite this clear demand, women hold only around 1 in 40 automotive trade roles, according to data from the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance. This underrepresentation is compounding the labour shortage, especially as demand … Continue reading Women technicians needed!

VASA members are invited to contribute to a national review of training materials for handling flammable refrigerant gases, with a survey from the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) open until 5pm on Wednesday 31 December 2025. The project is reviewing and updating key units of competency within AUR20220 Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning … Continue reading National training review seeks industry input on flammable refrigerant handling

The Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo will return to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 14-16 May 2026, promising more than 400 brands on display and an expanded education program under the theme ‘Driving What’s Next’. Organised by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) and co-located with the Collision Repair Expo, the three-day trade event … Continue reading Aftermarket Expo confirmed for May 2026, free registrations now open

Queensland has unveiled a pioneering automotive training initiative designed to combat the industry’s critical skills shortage, with a new academy set to provide senior secondary students with direct pathways into automotive careers from 2026. The Automotive Academy, announced on August 12, 2025, represents a collaborative effort between the Heavy Vehicle Industry Association, the Australian Automotive … Continue reading Queensland Automotive Academy to address skills shortage

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

Australia is gearing up for a significant shift towards electrified vehicles and it’s not just about swapping out petrol and diesel for batteries – it’s about ensuring the workforce is ready for the changes ahead.  The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) – the peak body representing independent skills training, higher education, and international education … Continue reading Transport electrification needs workforce reskilling, and fast

On May 14, Australian federal treasurer Jim Chalmers unveiled the 2024-25 Federal Budget, introducing a variety of new spending initiatives in line with the principles from the previous year’s Infrastructure Policy Statement, where the government prioritised investments to enhance productivity, improve liveability and promote sustainability.  These measures aim to address and support industry demand while … Continue reading Federal budget presents skills opportunities

The Business with VASA Treasurer Ian Stangroome Over the past few years, getting staff in any sector of employment has become increasingly difficult. The skills shortage in the automotive repair sector has fared no better with little to no improvement in recent times. Workshops have great difficulty finding staff to fill vacancies in their businesses. … Continue reading Multiskilled Technicians and their role in addressing the labour shortage

It is time for automotive workshops to consider the effect that electric cars might have on their operations but fortunately there is already much in the way of support for workshops looking to increase their repertoire and prepare for the future.  Many are thinking about investing in the training and equipment required to assess and … Continue reading How to get up to speed on EV repairs