From emerging vehicle technologies and new automotive brands to specialist restoration skills and contemporary training delivery, recent industry engagement has given AUSMASA valuable insights into the changes shaping Australia's automotive workforce.
In recent weeks, AUSMASA has connected with employers, training providers and industry stakeholders through several events and site visits, helping to build a broader picture of current and emerging workforce and skills needs.
At Everything Electric in Sydney, developments in electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and renewable energy highlighted the evolving capabilities required across EV servicing, high-voltage systems, and charging infrastructure. Mega Trans provided a complementary perspective from the heavy vehicle and transport sectors, where alternative powertrains, connected vehicles, and telematics continue to reshape the skills required of technicians, operators, and the broader workforce.
Supporting new and emerging automotive businesses
A meeting with JAC Motors explored the workforce and training challenges associated with establishing an emerging automotive brand in Australia.
Discussions focused on the importance of developing industry-relevant training capabilities to support the company's growing Australian presence and provided an opportunity to consider how workforce intelligence and training product development can respond to the needs of new market entrants.
Keeping specialist skills alive
At the other end of the automotive spectrum, a visit to the Modern Classic Cars Foundation highlighted the importance of preserving specialist and heritage vehicle skills.
Founder David Dyer outlined some of the workforce challenges facing the sector, including an ageing specialist workforce, limited apprenticeship opportunities and the risk of traditional restoration skills being lost.
The visit also provided an opportunity to see the Foundation's recently converted 1971 Morris Mini, which was electrified over approximately 2 years as a training exercise for the next generation of technicians, bringing traditional automotive skills and emerging technology together.
Seeing automotive training in action
A visit to TAFE NSW’s Ultimo Automotive campus provided another perspective on how training is responding to industry change.
The tour covered Light Vehicle, Motorcycle, Marine, and Automotive Paint and Body Repair workshops, as well as Marine and Automotive Trimming, and supported discussions on training delivery, learner and apprenticeship experiences, emerging technologies, and changing industry skills requirements.
Together, these engagements provide valuable intelligence on the various forces shaping automotive skills – from electrification and new technologies to apprenticeship pathways and the preservation of specialist capability.
By maintaining strong connections across industry and the VET sector, AUSMASA can continue to ensure that its workforce intelligence and training products reflect the changing needs of Australia's automotive workforce.
