Program Exceeds Expectations Mentoring

The Motor Trade Association SA has achieved an industry leading result, surpassing targets with more than 680 apprentices signed up to the Automotive Apprentice Mentor Program and securing a 98% retention rate among participants.

MTA SA/NT CEO Darrell Jacobs said “national data shows that for every two apprentices who start, only one finishes. This is not good enough and the reason why we partnered with the State Government to deliver our highly successful mentor program.”

The program, funded by the Government of South Australia following the 2022 State Election, aims to enhance skills and training, by boosting apprenticeship completions and addressing persistent skills shortages in the automotive sector.

MTA Automotive Careers Mentor Ben Monro reflected on the critical need for apprentice support.

“I have been an MTA apprentice, I have trained apprentices, I have employed apprentices, and I have assisted in apprentices becoming qualified. Unfortunately, during my time in the trade, I have all too often seen and heard of too many young people not completing their apprenticeships.”

Mr Monro added: “When this opportunity became available, I jumped at the chance. I see this as not only my way of giving back to an industry that has provided me a fantastic career, but also the opportunity to help guide the next generation of automotive industry professionals to reach their potential in a safe, stable, and supportive environment.”

Often, students starting their careers face significant challenges, requiring guidance in areas such as workplace expectations and business operations. With limited access to external support, these young apprentices regularly turn to Ben for both professional and personal advice, which has proven crucial in preventing them from withdrawing from training and leaving the industry forever.

With the automotive industry experiencing an ongoing skills shortage, retaining apprentices is more critical than ever. The latest Occupational Shortage report from Jobs and Skills Australia has noted Technicians and Trades Workers group has the lowest fill rate (number of advertised jobs filled) of all occupation groups in Australia, defining it as an area of a high skills shortage. The MTA reinforces this with data from Deloitte highlighting Automotive Technician and Trade occupations have fill rates below 41%. This is compounded by the Australian Mining and Automotive

Skills Alliance finding that Automotive occupations will require 31,000 new workers over the next decade in Australia.

The program includes trade and pastoral support, mental health service referrals, career advice, and regular face-to-face monitoring every 16 weeks to assess progress and address any issues.

Eden Sullivan, a first-year automotive refinishing apprentice, shared her experiences with the program.

“I love what I do, but I’ve also struggled in the trade, everyone faces challenges in life, but having a mentor to help me through it all was amazing. I don’t know what I would have done without the support.”

The mentorship program has proven to be a significant investment in the future of the automotive industry and underpins our commitment to the growth and development of the automotive industry in South Australia.