Healthy discussion good for the industry

There has been much discussion going on about a number of issues within the autobody repair industry in recent times, and this has to be a healthy thing.

The banning of repairable write-off in NSW and the plan to make it a national law has created much discussion.

The VACC’s David Purchase also stirred up interest, saying the organisation has had “a gutfull” of insurance companies, Richard Nathan has called on more repairers to embrace realistic times and rates and former assessor

Keith Dean has called for more young people to step up and take a leading role in the industry.

Keith’s point is a valid one, and it is also a difficult one to achieve; getting younger people involved to bring in fresh ideas and then keeping them keen and retain them.

It’s a little like some volunteer organisations. I am, in fact, involved with a volunteer emergency organisation, and we are having trouble attracting new, young members to the cause.

So what happens is that, as Keith put it, the “old heads” stay around and do the job – and a good job at that – to keep the organisation operating. The same, familiar faces turn up to attend to emergencies and do the regular training needed to remain competent and active in their volunteer role; the same faces are also there setting up tables and chairs for meetings, cleaning the facility in preparedness for a social event, and so it goes on.

But it is the same group within our volunteer organisation that consistently and constantly turns up to do the job.
So it is with the collision repair industry. Repairers are finding it harder and harder to attract new workers to the industry.

Western Australia is a case in point where potential apprentices are lured to the mining sector in the expectation of much higher wages as compared with being an apprentice spray painter or panelbeater. Mind, PM Kevin Rudd’s proposed tax on the mining sector might have some affect on that.

With smaller than needed numbers of young trainees coming through the ranks, it means the established “personalities” of the industry – those “old heads” – have no choice but to continue to sprook on its behalf.

What the industry at large needs to do is get behind these people and support them with workable reforms that will benefit the industry.

There is a feeling, especially in NSW, that the insurers are going to be the focus of some intensive activity and actions in an attempt to make the lot of repairers better, be it a further development of a realistic times and rates formula that will benefit of repairers, addressing the problems of tendering and two quotes or steering jobs from loyal clients to preferred repairer networks.

More repairers need to become involved with the process of this decision making for the industry so that a united front is seen to be tackling the issues.

When we reported these stories on the AP&P website, www.paintandpanel.com.au, they generated a great deal interest and comments.

Many of these comments have been re-printed in this issue of the magazine. While they highlight the differences of opinions of those involved with the collision repair industry, they also show a healthy interest in the future. Keep them coming.

Awards are coming

The annual AAMI/Australasian Paint & Panel Autobody Repairer of the Year Awards – the 15th annual staging of these prestigious accolades for the industry – are up and running for 2010 and entries are being received.
These awards are a showcase of excellence for the industry and we encourage businesses to nominate.

Fill in the entry form that is inserted in this issue of AP&P or go on line to www.paintandpanel.com.au and fill in the on-line form.

The awards will be judged in June and July and the winners announced at a presentation in Melbourne later in the year.

Another award AP&P is proud to be part of, this time partnered with DuPont Performance Coatings, is the 2010 Sustainability Award.

These awards will focus on collision repairers who have embraced work practices and systems that reduce their impact on the environment.