A CRITICAL labour shortage in the automotive sector is the spur for the launch by one of the nation’s most influential industry bodies of a campaign that seeks to fill 38,000 job vacancies.

The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) this week said the labour shortage in the industry “cripples business owners who cannot meet market demand, which then impacts consumers.”

“So we are doing something about it,” said VACC CEO, Geoff Gwilym, at the launch of a new marketing campaign.

“Labour and retaining staff are the big issues in automotive right now, so VACC has designed a marketing campaign to address the skills concern from a number of angles, including the launch of an AutoCareers television campaign – and a new website designed to connect job seekers with business owners wanting labour.

“The project encompasses a range of initiatives to thrust automotive careers in front of young people, prospective apprentices and their influencers, parents and teachers, along with skilled workers looking for a career change.”

AutoCareers campaign activities include the television advertisement – featuring Bob, Bec, Sharn, and Jake who represent various trades within the industry – extensive social media promotion, along with editorial and interviews.

Supporting this advertising is a new AutoCareers website.

Geoff Gwilym

“VACC members told us skills and labour were the top priorities this year,” said Mr Gwilym.

“VACC has reacted and invested heavily in the AutoCareers campaign. Those wanting labour and those seeking jobs now have a place to ‘meet’, so we encourage all parties to connect and help solve the automotive industry labour crisis.”

The campaign said that finding labour and retaining staff are the big issues in automotive and the VACC and Tasmanian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (TACC) were tackling the skills concern from a number of angles including the launch of the AutoCareers multimedia marketing campaign.

The project comprises a range of initiatives to showcase automotive careers in front of young people – who the VACC and TACC say are the prospective apprentices – and their influencers (parents and teachers).

It also extends to skilled workers who may be looking for a career change.

AutoCareers campaign activities include the television advertisement – shown across Victoria and Tasmania – extensive social media promotion, along with editorial and interviews.

The new AutoCareers website replaces the VACC’s JobFinder service, with JobFinder listings now moved to the new site.

The VACC and TACC said that to list or search for an automotive opportunity for free go to AutoCareers.

By Neil Dowling