The Australian Association of Progressive Repairers is actively engaging key industry stakeholders such as the NSW Government, TAFE, PWC (Skills For Australia), automotive training boards and other such entities to enlist support for expanding the current fee-free training for automotive employees who have lost their jobs or have been stood down.
According to the results of the Paint & Panel #survivingcoronavirus survey published last week, the 250 businesses who responded had let 181 staff go, with many thinking they will have to let further staff go in the near future.
While there are some free courses available these are not technical upskilling opportunities. See link and advice supplied by PWC, COVID-19 fee free' courses that TAFE NSW (in conjunction with the NSW Government) is offering.
The courses on offer provide skill development in such things as business skills, digital impact, etc. which, while not specific to auto repair, could well provide useful alternative, related learning pathways.
However the training currently on offer is limited to only two courses and will not assist technicians to upskill or add value to their existing job roles. AAPR is campaigning for practical training such as I-CAR courses be funded by Government to benefit both the mental wellbeing and the technical abilities of these automotive employees that have been stood down or have lost their jobs.
AAPR is seeking any assistance from all stakeholders to assist this initiative by using their contacts to secure extra funding support for fee-free training.
- An example of the use for this fee-free training is the Assessors Skill Set that will provide a technician the skills to assist in the training of apprentices in the workplace
- Another example would be to carryout I-CAR courses which are endorsed by insurers for their network repairers and by OEMs
- Paint companies are another resource that also offer training that can assist to upskill stood down or terminated technicians to maintain their currency levels.
With the current severe skills shortage, the collision repair industry cannot afford to lose these technicians and be faced with a smaller talent pool post COVID19.