CEO’s Message

MTA CEO, PAUL UNERKOV

2023 will soon be upon us and the MTA has actively been engaging with governments and the wider industry to ensure members can get back to business as usual after the heavily disrupted past few years.

Critical to this is alleviating labour shortages. To this end, we welcomed news from the Federal Government that it is increasing permanent migration from 160,000 to 195,000 places this year and will speed up visas for foreign workers. Similarly, the Federal Government made the right decision by permitting senior Australians to return to the workforce and earn additional money without losing any of their pension.

The MTA’s Mentoring Program is also making great strides. With the continual skills shortages the automotive industry is facing, the Northern Territory Government-funded program is delivering mentoring to first and second year apprentices. This will help them where they may otherwise struggle and cease their training, ultimately boosting the territory’s workforce numbers. NT Automotive Apprentice Mentor Shaun O’Brien is also making significant inroads with schools, complementing our retention efforts by also attracting new people to our industry.

The MTA’s TIO Automotive Apprentice Awards will be the culmination of this training and we are looking forward to celebrating with our next generation of the workforce at the end of November.

Locally and nationally, more and more discussions have centred around electric vehicles. As our uptake of zero and low-emission vehicles increases, we need to harness its economic benefits in an industry dominated by traditional skilled labour.

After successfully delivering our first nationally accredited hybrid and battery electric vehicle training in the Northern Territory earlier this year, in August the MTA ran another course to meet local demand. With electric and hybrid vehicles sales increasing, crash repairers, mechanics and towing operators are beginning to see these cars in their workshops for the first time and want to know how to safely service them.

My study tour last month to Europe with Chair Frank Agostino and our interstate MTA counterparts provided direct insights from markets that have significantly transitioned, including Norway, Sweden, Germany and the UK. The lessons we learnt from visiting repair shops, manufacturers and industry leaders will ensure the local industry is best positioned to embrace, adapt or respond to the new technologies. The insights will also assist the MTA to help shape Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy and influence government policy.

Finally, as part of our ongoing consultation, the MTA continues to liaise with members and the Northern Territory Government to raise awareness and develop policy responses, including to local crime. We have been advised of unacceptable levels of incidents and hope to work closely with the Government towards solutions and an overall improvement.

On a personal note, as you may know, I have made the decision to step down from my role as the CEO of the MTA. For me the timing is right and it has been an honour to support our members and industry as well as provide apprentices with the opportunity to get their start in a rewarding career.

The Board has unanimously promoted Darrell Jacobs, current General Manager of Automotive Skills Development, as CEO upon my retirement. There is much still to be done before now and the end of the year but I know the MTA is in good health and will be in a strong position moving forward under Darrell’s capable leadership.

It has been the highlight of this role to engage with our industry and members and I look forward to catching up with you between now and the year’s end.