• Stephen Palmer IAG
    Stephen Palmer IAG
  • Damien Cahill, Holden
    Damien Cahill, Holden
  • Charlie Ramsay, Escribe
    Charlie Ramsay, Escribe
  • Rob Bartlett, Suncorp
    Rob Bartlett, Suncorp
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Australian Association of Progressive Repairers (AAPR) hosted its national conference on 22 and 23 November at the Alpha Hotel, Eastern Creek NSW.

The 'prepare today, repair tomorrow' forum covered a wide range of topics such as policy, code, insurance, technology and education.

 

NSW member for parliament and secretary to the premier of Western Sydney, Ray Williams, opened the conference. AAPR CEO Greg Preston outlined the association's aims for 2017 in its new alliance with IAM. One of AAPR's core aims is to encourage new talent into the industry.

 

“There is no national initiative for the marketing of careers in our industry, as a result we are seeing a lack of new apprentices entering the workforce,” Preston said.

 

Preston  called for stronger support for the code of conduct and  'one industry, one team' thinking.

 

Rob Bartlett

Suncorp's executive manager, national partners and industry, Rob Bartlett spoke on a variety of issues surrounding insurer's position within the industry.

 

He spoke frankly on government involvement inindustry, commenting on proposed legislation for the code of conduct in NSW.

 

“Industry should try to look after themselves and avoid government regulation.”

 

He advocated a national approach, rather than risking legislation in just one state.

 

BDM manager Thatcham escribe, Charlie Ramsay spoke next on the strides in technology that have allowed escribe to offer repairs that are faster, cheaper and less instrusive and he revealed new look repair methods. 

 

Education and youth employment were a focal point of the event, with two separate organisations in attendance to discuss the issue.

 

Kate Wright, a representative from the Youth Employment Partnership (YEP) acknowledged the difficulties that the industry is facing, particularly keeping apprentices interested in their jobs.

 

Gary Clear and Rainer Malkki of TAFE NSW echoed that points raised by Wright, when they spoke on the new 'One TAFE' initiative. Clear re-iterated the issues presented by YEP, citing a lack of strong mentoring as a clear problem.

 

I-CAR CEO Mark Czvitkovits  suggested most technicians are 10 years behind the technology of today's cars and that the only way to move forward is by developing a strong learning culture:

 

“If you're training just to get a tick, you're not going to be able to change the culture,“ he said.

 

David Neville talked about a new version of Audanet which will be easier to access on mobile devices. He said the design will be sleeker, with an easier to use interface and less tabs when working through a claim.

 

News that Holden is looking to possibly develop a repairer network was also brought to the table. With Damian Cahill collision business manager at GM Holden, outlined that if the idea was to be approved, businesses would have to meet a certain set of standards which include a premises' look and feel, staff retention, skill and training plans and use of Holden genuine parts.

 

Cahill also revealed that Holden will trail not publishing trade prices on selected collision parts, enabling dealers to set pricing. The trial would  “contract or expand based on repairer engagement.”

 

Partscheck founder David Taylor spoke on his software, which has been created to streamline the process behind both parts ordering and stocking.

 

The conference was closed by Stephen Palmer from IAG. Palmer spoke on the important role technology plays in the industry and the preparation repairers will need should they wish to continue running a successful business.

 

Palmer finished by asking the audience to consider if they will have the training and knowledge to repair tomorrow's cars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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