The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has criticised the Victorian Government for excluding automotive apprenticeships from its latest Free TAFE expansion, despite continuing skills shortages across the industry.
Under the Carroll Government's 2027 Skills First announcement, six apprenticeship courses will receive first-year tuition fee support, but none are automotive-related.
VACC CEO Peter Jones said the decision was disappointing and raised serious questions about the government's approach to addressing workforce shortages.
“We welcome investment in apprenticeships, but it is difficult to understand why automotive continues to miss out when our industry is facing such significant workforce shortages,” Jones said.
“Jobs and Skills Australia has consistently identified automotive technicians among occupations experiencing skills shortages. The evidence is clear, yet automotive apprentices are once again being left out of this additional support.”
The chamber argues that excluding automotive trades from additional financial incentives could make it more difficult for employers to attract and retain apprentices, particularly when other industries are receiving government assistance.
Jones said automotive technicians played a vital role in keeping Victorian motorists and businesses moving, while demand for appropriately trained workers continued to grow.
“As Australia's largest single employer of automotive apprentices, the VACC sees firsthand the challenges businesses face in attracting and retaining the next generation of skilled technicians,” Jones said.
The VACC currently employs 610 apprentices and trainees through its group apprenticeship scheme and provides dedicated field managers to mentor participants throughout their training.
These support arrangements are designed to improve apprenticeship completion rates and help businesses develop the skilled workforce they require.
However, the chamber believes government incentives should be applied consistently across industries experiencing recognised workforce shortages.
Jones said the need for automotive technicians would become even more pressing as vehicle technology evolved and workshops required increasingly sophisticated technical capabilities.
“The automotive industry is changing rapidly, and we need to be encouraging more young people into these careers, not making some trades more attractive than others through selective incentives,” Jones said.
He called on the Victorian Government to reconsider its approach and ensure automotive apprentices received comparable support to those entering other trades.
“We are asking the Victorian Government for a level playing field. Automotive businesses are ready to invest in the next generation of skilled workers, but they deserve the same support being offered to other industries.”
Founded in 1918, the VACC represents more than 5000 automotive businesses across Victoria and Tasmania, employing more than 50,000 people.