4 minute read
Helping Automotive Secure Skilled Migration
by Boylen
Just about every business the MTA engages with says they could put on an additional worker today if they could find and keep one. This was the driving force behind the MTA’s recent delegation with the NT Government to UK and Ireland to promote local automotive jobs.
Skill shortages have long been a challenge and the Global Worker Attraction Campaign promoted the unique lifestyle and exciting job opportunities in the Northern Territory’s automotive industry.
MTA Automotive Business Specialist Rodger Sewell met directly with job seekers where they were impressed to learn about automotive career prospects. The campaign visited Birmingham, Manchester, Cork and Dublin.
The MTA was grateful for the Northern Territory Government’s support to join the delegation as well as their recognition of the important role of migration, in addition to apprenticeships, upskilling and reskilling, to address critical skill shortages. According to the most recent Directions in Australia’s Automotive Industry report, light vehicle mechanics comprised around half of all automotive shortages in the NT.
The peak automotive body has since had a debrief with the government about the Global Worker Attraction Campaign. It assisted the officials refine their approach to better design and implement similar events in the future.
The MTA has since called for the UK trip to be an annual delegation and also for greater support for small and medium businesses to access skilled migration.
The MTA has since called for the UK trip to be an annual delegation and also for greater support for small and medium businesses to access skilled migration. Central to this will be ensuring prospective job seekers are aware of the opportunities in the local industry.
Future international recruitment drives would further complement local initiatives such as the MTA’s Northern Territory Automotive Apprentice Mentor who works with apprentices to support them to reach completion and retain them in the industry.
