It also revealed that women are more determined to stay in the industry and are more satisfied with their job.

The survey, a collaboration between the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) and the Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland), is said to be invaluable research to determine any changes needed to improve skill development, career pathways and job opportunities.

It will also be the guiding document for the industry, training providers and government through a period where the industry is experiencing “extraordinary” skills shortages.

In the survey “Addressing Automotive Skills Shortages”, some of the findings show young apprentices consider changing careers during their apprenticeship but the vast majority have a passion for and stay in the automotive industry. 

“This commitment is connected to their initial career drivers and vision for the future through their true love and passion for all-things automotive,” the survey said.

“For policy makers there are key opportunities to design closer engagement with fourth-year apprentices to educate on options post-qualification.”

It said that 88 per cent of apprentices have a genuine interest in developing their own knowledge in the newest technologies “and overwhelmingly recognise the importance of ongoing learning beyond the completion of their initial qualification”.

“Students identified extension learning in specialisation areas like hybrid or electric vehicles, programming and diagnostics, driver assistance system technology, or learning business skills to operate a workshop.”

There was also insight into the perspectives of women who work in the automotive industry with the findings showing there have been “significant improvements” for women undertaking an apprenticeship.

This was improved as they became familiar with the opportunities available for a long- term automotive career and the successes of other women working in the industry, the survey said.

AAAA CEO Stuart Charity said the research showed the breadth of the careers choice of technicians, from why they entered the industry to why they stay.

“What is fantastic about the research is that it contains some very practical insights for our employers; about how to find employees and how to keep them engaged in developing long-term careers and high-level skills within our industry,” he said.

“The skills shortage issue is complex and this research will enable us to work with industry on solutions that will be effective and enduring.”

AADA CEO James Voortman said skills shortages were severely impacting dealerships “and the outlook for the future remains grim.”

“Automotive apprentices are essential, but the fact is that many of them leave the trade early and don’t complete their training,” he said.

“It is critical, not just for our members’ businesses but also for our economy, that we are able to keep cars and trucks on our roads and we need skilled and qualified tradespeople to do that. 

“This study has given us an important insight into the apprenticeship experience which we can use to develop strategies to attract and improve retention of apprentices in the future.”

MTA Queensland group chief executive Rod Camm said the survey had enormous importance for policy making.

“The AAAA, AADA and MTA Queensland are committed to continuing to work together to improve the apprentice experience so that we keep our future workforce in the automotive industry and support their continuous learning journey,” he said.

By Neil Dowling