Automotive Training AustraliaAutomotive Training Australia

National Skills ReportNational Skills Report

Industry Skills Report

• ATA publishes an annual Skills Report• Report aims to engage the industry

around current issues, and how these issues affect the future skills base for the industry

Industry sectors covered by ATA

• Automotive manufacturing• Automotive retail, service and repair extending to all

vehicle types from motor cycles through to heavy mining industry equipment

• Automotive after market operations• Component and vehicle recycling and disposal• Motorsport• Related areas including:

– Outdoor power equipment– Farm machinery– Recreational boating– Bicycles

Employment

• Total employment over all segments exceeds 400,000 with over 100,000 businesses

• Largest segment is the Retail Service and Repair sector with over 300,000 employees

• Employment growth forecast to continue at a rate exceeding the national average employment growth rate

Manufacturing

• In 2006, motor vehicle and component manufacturing output totalled $21,154 million, and employed 51,000 people

• Sector is at a watershed:– Mitsubishi closed early in 2008– Ford and Holden rationalising – affected

by the slowing demand for large vehicles

• Government considering future industry plan

Manufacturing

• In 1980, 365,334 Australian made light vehicles were sold domestically representing 66% of total light vehicle sales

• In 2007, 200,485 locally produced light vehicles were sold representing 20% of total light vehicle sales

Manufacturing

• By contrast, export performance has been impressive– In 1982, only 861 Australian made vehicles

were exported, worth $277 million– In 2007, 140,000 Australian vehicles were

exported, together with $1.8 billion worth of engines and components

– Total automotive exports in 2007 were worth over $5 billion, making this one of the largest export sectors

Research and development

• The manufacturing sector also invests heavily in research and development:– In 2006, the vehicle and component

manufacturers invested around $600 million in R & D

Other Industry Sectors

• Bus, Truck and Trailer– Companies such as Iveco, Kenworth and

Volvo employ about 2,350 people directly

• In the heavy duty off-road sector, companies such as Caterpillar, and its distributors like Westrac are significant employers

Retail, Service and Repair

• Over 100,000 businesses cover a wide diversity of automotive areas, including related fields like caravan and boat retailers

Automotive Retail, Service and Repair Training Package

• Nearly 8 percent of all apprentices and trainees nationally

• Number 3 of the top 20 most used training packages

Drivers of Industry Skills Needs and Skills Issues

Technology

• Rate of technological advancement is exponential

• Industry is on the cusp of a seismic shift in vehicle technology– Today’s typical vehicle is extremely

inefficient• 80 percent of energy is lost in heat• 19 percent is used to move the vehicle• Only one percent actually moves the

occupants

Technology

• Mechanic and body technician of the future will be typified by an IT diagnostic skill set with highly developed communication, team work and team building skills

• Automotive based services to the community will be based on large but segmented organisations:– Dealerships,– Electronic specialists– Front end specialists– Brake specialists

Technology and Skills Currency

• Existing employees need effective avenues to maintain and improve their skills

• Education sector needs an effective means of maintaining:– Currency of staff skills, and;– the associated infrastructure requirements

associated with new technology

Employee Attraction and Retention

• Sector faces trades skills shortages throughout the country

• Rapid change in vehicle technology:– Requires updating of current skills– Requires continuing intake of new, skilled people

• Poor industry career perception• Retention problems – over 40 percent leave

within 5 years• Compounded by an ageing workforce

Some Responses

• VET in schools programs• T3 which originated in NSW in 2000• WA Motor Industry Training

Association’s assessment process• TAFE Tasmania’s pre-employment

program• Specialist centres, including:

– Automotive Centre of Excellence– Heavy Vehicle Training Centre, Dubbo

Demographics

• RSR workforce is ageing, and there is an increase in the retirement rate of skilled people in the industry

Consumer and customer service demands

• Motor vehicles are complex, sophisticated products requiring ongoing maintenance

• Industry is highly competitive

OH and S and the Environment

• OH and S is a key priority for all sectors of the industry

• Emphasis is on a proactive approach to OH and S, building on regular, reinforced training.

• Environmental responsibilities are considerable and increasing:– Vehicle maintenance– Environmental sustainability for businesses