Innovative motor mechanic program a success

A New South Wales automotive dealer group has come up with its own innovative solution to the chronic shortage of motor mechanics in Australia, where there’s a shortfall of 38,000 skilled automotive professions and the need for 14,000 qualified EV technicians by 2030.

Albury-based Baker Motors has more than tripled its annual apprenticeship intake to 10 and is offering above-award wages, added financial incentives and guaranteed ongoing employment once graduated.

A family-owned business, Baker Motors is a franchised dealer for Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Peugeot and an agent for Honda and Mercedes-Benz.

A shortage of motor mechanics has been a dire issue for the entire auto industry since the pandemic cut off the supply of foreign mechanics with temporary visas.

As a result the wait time for scheduled servicing has blown out from days to weeks and even months across the industry.

The need to find a solution prompted Baker Motors fixed operations manager Michael Seinor to come up with his own solution.

“I could see our apprentice intake just wasn’t happening and staffing levels were becoming difficult,” he said.

“We had a great customer base but not enough willing workers. It was getting very tough.”

So far, in the five months since the scheme has been introduced, six apprentices have joined Baker Motors.

Seinor argues that’s a decent result, given the trade isn’t that well respected – something he believes is a misconception.

“Whether it’s schools and parents encouraging kids to go into other industries I can’t really pinpoint.

“I’ve been in this trade for 39 years and it’s been very good to me.

“It’s a good trade and I’m sure all the other trades are good too, but it depends on how much you put in.

“The opportunities are there – these apprentices have just got to go for it.”

The most innovative part of the scheme is a financial incentive to complete training modules that can add up to more than $6000.

The apprenticeship program includes in-house tuition from Bakers Motors staff as well as one-on-one training by a visiting MTA NSW trainer.

At the end of the process the apprentices complete the federally recognised Certificate 3 in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology.

Seinor says the apprentices also get an introduction to the wider business as part of this scheme.

“We are placing them at all different departments within our fixed ops business,” he explained.

“So they will spend time at detailing, our parts department, our front counter at the service department.

“That’s designed to give them an understanding that when they get their qualification they don’t have to just remain in the workshop.

“They can branch out. They can go to parts, they can run detailing, they can be a service adviser, they can become an assistant service manager, service manager or a parts manager.

“It’s a career, it’s not just becoming a tradie and well done mate. We want them to understand there are stepping stones and you can go through the whole lot of them.”