The Australian Collision Industry Alliance’s (ACIA) stand at the Sydney West Careers & Employment Expo produced more than polite enquiries, with several young people now connected to potential work experience and apprenticeship opportunities.
Held at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, on 28 and 29 August, the expo brought together more than 100 employers, training organisations and industry representatives to meet students, graduates, job seekers and career changers.
ACIA was supported by representatives from SAPE, IAG, Axalta and L&M Smash Repairs, as well as former Paint & Panel team member Lynette Rochford. Together they were able to explain the range of jobs available in collision repair and give visitors a realistic picture of where those careers can lead.
IAG’s David Wilkes was one of the stand volunteers and said there was genuine interest from potential entrants.
“There was a strong showing from the schools and it was great to be able to talk to several potential students who had an interest in panel beating and spray painting apprenticeships,” Wilkes said.
“One even came with his résumé, which was impressive.”
Another young person looking for work experience was connected with a repair business through Repairhub and IAG, while Dan Maher from L&M Smash Repairs offered to assist an 18-year-old homeschooled student with a strong interest in cars and automotive painting.
The display was helped by the presence of SAPE’s ute, which attracted attention and provided an easy way to begin conversations about cars, automotive technology and hands-on careers.
The audience extended beyond school students. Wilkes also spoke with several new arrivals to Australia who were looking for employment, as well as a middle-aged man considering a career change into panel shop estimating.
With no collision repair experience or trade qualifications, Wilkes discussed front-of-house customer service as a more realistic starting point and a way to begin learning the industry.
It was a useful example of why industry people need to be present at career events. A brochure can list available occupations, but it cannot ask questions, explain where someone’s existing skills might fit or introduce a promising candidate to an employer.
“I thoroughly enjoyed working beside others who have a keen interest in the wellbeing and growth of the industry,” Wilkes said.
IAG’s involvement also showed how ACIA membership can be put to practical use. By sending an experienced industry representative rather than simply lending its name to the event, the insurer helped ACIA identify candidates and connect them with repair businesses. Suncorp has also supported previous ACIA activities, and the alliance would like to see more insurers become actively involved, as well as more repair businesses supporting its efforts.
The industry’s workforce shortage will not be solved at a single careers expo. However, each résumé collected, work experience placement arranged and honest conversation about collision repair brings another potential employee through the door.