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ATTRACTING GREAT STAFF AND KEEPING THEM

In this article, Capricorn Group CEO David Fraser discusses tips on how to attract and retain staff

With my ‘Our Skills Shortage: Attracting Great Staff and Keeping Them’ co-panellists Lesley Yates, Adam Pay, and James Voortman, we discussed David Fraser at AAAE the cost of the Group CEO, current skills shortage Capricorn Society Ltd and some things we can do now to help attract and retain staff. Finding good people is a problem – our State of the Nation report tells us that in 2021, 51 percent of Capricorn Members deemed ‘lack of qualified staff’ as the biggest challenge facing our industry, up from 44 percent in 2020. There are some structural issues we need to overcome to ensure a sustainable skilled workforce for the future. And without wanting to diminish their importance, they can take some time to overcome. In the interest of providing some quick tips, here are some small things we can all do now: • The State of the Nation research shows our Members are feeling confident and successful. Annual turnovers are also trending upwards and one in five Capricorn

Members are turning over AUD $1 million. Don’t be afraid to talk about positives and the opportunities in our industry. • Keep an open mind when looking for staff, especially apprentices. A common theme amongst our Capricorn

Rising Stars nominees is how many businesses they approached to get their apprenticeship. Staff and apprentices come in all shapes and sizes, and most of them are keen to get started. • Fostering a positive work environment can help keep your existing staff. This may be common sense to a lot of you, as 74 percent of Capricorn Members are actively considering how they can foster a workplace culture.

But for those who aren’t sure where to start, even little moments like team lunches, or paying for staff development can go a long way. If you’re interested in how Capricorn can help you build a stronger, sustainable business, I invite you to visit www.capricorn.coop to arrange a visit from your local Capricorn representative. Yours in cooperation, David Fraser Group CEO – Capricorn Society Ltd For more on Capricorn Society membership, visit www.capricorn.coop Leading battery manufacturer and supplier, Century Yuasa Batteries, has further demonstrated its support of the independent Automotive Aftermarket sector as an official partner of The Garage Network. The Garage Network was founded in 2018 by a small group of Sydney workshop owners and technicians, Mike Carnemolla, Kosta Kantilaftis, Peter Leondis and Jeff Taylor, with the aim of bringing business owners and technicians together. Following a trip to the 2019 Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, the four directors formulated a strategy to grow the network with an ethos of giving it back and paying forward. From these humble beginnings the network has grown to over 3,000 active members with a focus on Industry community, social networking, Technical Training, Business coaching and mentorship. “Everyone at Century Yuasa is really excited to be part of this initiative which brings together independent businesses in what are fast changing and exciting times for the Automotive industry,” said Stu Stanners, General Manager of Century Yuasa’s Automotive Division. “It is important that motorists continue to have a choice of repairer and with the introduction of new legislation regarding Mandatory Data sharing, it is crucial we get behind initiatives that support independent businesses in a market which is becoming increasingly dominated by larger automotive workshop groups. “In 2023 we (Century Yuasa) celebrate 95 years of manufacturing and supplying batteries in Australia. Independent workshops have been and will continue to be, integral to the success of our company and this partnership with The Garage Network further underlines our commitment to the Independent Automotive Aftermarket. “The guys have done a fantastic job in setting up this network, it has so much potential and something we are pleased to be a part of.” The partnership was officially sealed at this year’s Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo between Century Yuasa’s Automotive Management team and the Directors of The Garage Network. On the Friday evening of the show, the team from Century had the opportunity to meet with members to discuss challenges and opportunities facing their businesses moving forward. “It’s great to have such a well-known brand and company such as Century onboard with us,” The Garage Network Director, Mike Carnemolla, said. “Through The Garage Network we believe we have changed the landscape of the independent repair sector, by encouraging business owners to share knowledge, and help the ‘shop down the road’, something you wouldn’t have seen in the industry a few years back. “We have formed a community of likeminded, forward thinking shop owners and technicians who want to help one another, be it down the road or across the country. This is techs helping techs. “Century, VACC, Motortech and TUNAP have all shared in our vision for the industry and as our partners, have been able to help us showcase our philanthropic nature and host two fantastic events at the recent AAAA show in Melbourne.” For more information, visit www.thegaragenetwork.com.au

CENTURY BATTERIES POWERS THE GARAGE NETWORK

The partnership was officially sealed at this year’s Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo