Auto apprenticeships a win-win situation

Backed by the support of the government's $1 billion JobTrainer Fund, which is now extended by over 100,000 additional places announced in the 2021-22 Budget, an apprenticeship in the road transport sector presents a secure career pathway with consistent wage growth.

Aligning with the JobTrainer package, the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program supporting apprentices and trainees has been promised a $2.7 billion extension until March 2022, subsidising wages by up to 50 per cent for eligible businesses.

Over the course of the pandemic, the automotive industry, and in particular the truck and road transport sector, has weathered the storm, proving to be virtually recession-proof.

As supply disruptions began in earnest, the road transport industry secured its position as an ‘essential’ service, supporting surging sectors such as online shopping.

As demand for services spiked, securing skilled automotive apprentices and service technicians to keep Australian trucks operational and on the roads also came into sharper focus.

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) National Service Manager, Brett Stewart, recognised the impact that stimulus measures such as the wage subsidies had in supporting economic recovery, while also encouraging workers to start a career in the workshop.

“The reality for many employers is that there’s a lack of quality applicants, an ageing workforce and an on-going need to train and upskill existing workers,” he said.

“Apprentice wages should be expected to rise with the continuing wage subsidy, acting as a pull factor to draw in quality applicants from across Australia.

“Once in the workshop, upskilling and training becomes a common ritual.

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“From online training to keep on top of changing technology, to mentorship under a qualified technician, apprentices and fully qualified technicians are subject to constant education and development throughout their career.”

Tallia Herbertson, a final year apprentice technician at Gilbert & Roach Isuzu, has taken part in Isuzu’s online training courses, which she says is improving her ability to diagnose the trucks that come through the workshop.

“We have a lot of resources to help us diagnose issues with the trucks that come in,” Ms Herbertson said.

“I want to work towards becoming a master technician in the future and there is a lot of learning to do.

“You need to continually build up knowledge of the product and the issues, but it’s a great thing to work towards as a career goal.”

Mr Stewart noted apprenticeships have traditionally come with some stigma attached, especially in the automotive sector. He said that employers should consider apprentices as an opportunity to build the business, with real-world advantages for both employee and employer.

“Managed right, having an apprentice or trainee on board can be mutually beneficial.

“Apprentices gain real world experience and skills development from experts in their field.

“And for employers, hiring an apprentice is an opportunity to mould your newest talent into a well-rounded employee that is a perfect fit for your business, as they train and learn on the job.

“At the end of their apprenticeship you have a specifically trained, well-adjusted resource adding genuine value to your operation. You’re also helping to strengthen the automotive industry as a whole.

“With extensions to government support programs recently announced in the federal budget, there’s never been a better time to act,” Mr Stewart said.