News

2021 STATE OF THE NATION REPORT LAUNCHED

In this column, Capricorn Society’s Group Chief Executive Officer, David Fraser, takes a look at this new release

In 2020, Capricorn embarked on an ambitious project to look under the bonnet of our industry. We wanted to better understand the mood amongst Members in these difficult COVID-19 times, to really get a handle on the issues, trends and challenges affecting you, your business, and the industry as a whole. This work produced our first ever State of the Nation Report. Capricorn’s second annual State of the Nation Report is out this month and the news, considering the pandemic, is generally positive. More than 2,000 Capricorn Members took part in this year’s survey and overall the results show workshop profits are up. But not everyone has ridden out the pandemic profitably. State of the Nation 2021 found there are still plenty of places automotive businesses are leaving cash on the table, costing themselves potential profits, or taking unnecessary risks. Identifying opportunities to help our Members create more profitable and sustainable businesses is why Capricorn embarked on the State of the Nation project. This year’s report identifies the shortage of qualified technicians as a major problem, not enough workshop owners have a healthy work-life balance and too few of us are ready for the big technological changes coming. But it was also great to see big improvements in many of the areas we identified in last year’s report – with more shops now charging for diagnostics, tracking efficiency, marking up parts more profitably and getting their retirement and succession plans in order. State of the Nation 2021 is full of great insights and useful advice to create a more profitable business. You can download the full State of the Nation report today at capricorn.coop/caphub. If you are interested in learning more about how you can benefit by joining Capricorn, I encourage you to email join@capricorn.coop to arrange a visit from your local Capricorn representative. Yours cooperatively, David Fraser Group CEO, Capricorn Society Ltd For more on Capricorn Society membership, visit www.capricorn.coop The new and nationally recognised 4WD Technician Course is creating a career development path for a new generation of upskilled technicians in the booming 4WD aftermarket sector. On Thursday the 17th of June, students attended Kangan Institute’s Docklands campus, to begin a new chapter in their career. The students become the first wave of technicians to take part in the country’s first 4WD specific program, the ‘4WD Accessories Technician Course.’ The Australian 4WD Industry is a $6 billion industry comprising more than 2,000 businesses and employing over 70,000 Australians, and the sector desperately needs an ongoing supply of the right skills to keep growing and meet consumer demand. The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA)’s 4WD Industry Council (4WDIC) committed itself to developing a nationally recognised qualification. To bring the concept to reality, the 4WDIC enlisted the services of leading vocational education and training provider, Kangan Institute. The result is a pilot program developed to provide the specific skills and knowledge technicians need to effectively work and succeed in a 4WD accessories business. Under the watchful eye of Kangan Institute training specialists, the students will study a range of mechanical units, accessory fitting and electrical units, and upon successful completion, leave with a Certificate 2 in Automotive Service Technology. The Certificate, and specialised new skills will aid employment and career progression opportunities for the students who have completed the course. Kangan Institute has been instrumental in guiding the 4WD Industry Council through the process of developing a program that would meet the immediate needs of the industry, with the flexibility to adapt and grow as the sector moves forward. The AAAA says it would like to acknowledge and thank Gavin Cribb and Ian Said from Kangan Institute for their tireless work and expertise. The AAAA also wishes to thank 4WD Industry Council Chairman Ben Lavis, Convenor Nigel Bishop, and the entire 4WD Industry Council for their vision and support of the 4WD industry. The AAAA says it looks forward to the new 4WD Accessories Technician Course playing a role in bolstering technician skills and inspiring the next generation to build a career in the Australian 4WD aftermarket industry. For more information on the course, including an overview on the course content, visit www.4wdcouncil.com.au/resources/ 4wd-accessories-technician-certificate/

FIRST STUDENTS FOR NEW NATIONALLY RECOGNISED 4WD TECHNICIAN COURSE

An industry first 4WD training program pilot is now officially underway