New Training Model Further Cements MTA's Position as Leading Skills Provider

(Main): Following nine months of preparations, the MTA’s new blended model of training has commenced.

The MTA has officially launched its new training model!

“The new training model rollout has been a huge success and wellreceived by trainers, apprentices and employers,” said Jodi Ryan, MTA General Manager Apprenticeships.

“There has been an absolute hive of activity and excitement down at the Royal Park Automotive Skills and Careers Centre. The students are really impressed with how easily accessible their course content is through the new learning system and Ready Skills App.”

It is a key priority for the MTA to equip the next generation of automotive technicians with the necessary skills to succeed in an evolving industry.

This new model was developed in consultation with MTA members and industry around skill shortages, training downtime, and the need for the integration between training and the workplace. The updated model seeks to improve trainer-employer communications and engagement and return more of the apprentice’s time back to the workplace.

“It will improve workforce capacity and productivity by having apprentices spend more time at businesses and blends institutional learning with workplace assessments to provide them with a broader skill set,” explained MTA CEO Darrell Jacobs.

Benefits of the new blended training model includes the following:

• Individualised training support with face-to-face MTA Trainer visits to the apprentices’ workplaces on a regular basis

• Apprentices obtain more handson experience at the workplace, supplemented with efficient and streamlined trade training

• Improved employee workforce with apprentices spending more time in the workplace being productive

• Additional student learning and workplace evidence collection opportunities to support development of skills

• Introduced our own online student learning portal, which combines both theory and practical in an easy- to-use system that is mobile and responsive

• The learning portal is accessible to both students and employers anytime, allowing easy access to all learning material to support apprentices

• Employers have the option to be in the driver’s seat along the apprentice learning journey, supported by the MTA

• Exceptional mentorship and career guidance from both the MTA Trainer and Automotive Industry Career Mentor, ensuring apprentices stay on track to graduate

• Students have access to all learning material for their year level, allowing them to collect evidence in line with day-to-day workplace tasks

• Access to the MTA’s state of the art Electric Vehicle Centre

• Access to the MTA’s Air Conditioning Training Centre

• Apprentices can enrol and start training with the MTA at any time throughout the year as we have a rolling intake. No need to wait for entry into our training facility

• Comprehensive half-day inductions for all new apprentices to prepare them for training at the MTA and in the workplace

• Employers and students are fully supported through each student journey with the MTA.

Having apprentices access online learning content and undertake learning activities at their workplace means there is greater capacity at the MTA’s training centre. This ultimately allows the MTA to increase its training capacity and in turn address the current and future skill shortages facing the industry.

MTA Member John Siciliano from Axle Co Mechanical said he was excited about the new training model.

“Ultimately, the less I lose my apprentices, the better, ” said business owner John.

“Axle Co Mechanical is bigger than just John now. Customers are calling and asking for Dominic and Liam (two MTA apprentices employed at Axle Co Mechanical). I rely on my apprentices a lot and I can’t have them tied up at the training centre constantly.

“With the dedicated MTA trainer visiting every four to six weeks, it will also keep me more informed around what my apprentices are learning on a weekly basis.”

This is a pivotal moment in the MTA’s training history. This new approach to automotive apprentice training will ensure the association keeps growing, protecting and supporting the automotive industry through the association’s efforts to adequately equip the next generation of automotive mechanics and technicians with the skillsset to thrive in a rapidly-evolving environment.

John Siciliano of Axle Co Mechanical in Prospect.