Partnership Driving Skills Opportunities

SA Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker

The South Australian automotive industry is a dynamic and constantly evolving landscape.

As the industry transitions to new technologies and the maintenance of next-generation vehicles, this shift has the potential to foster growth and innovation in SA.

As South Australian Skills Commissioner, and with the support of the Commission, a key focus has been to create a forum for businesses, peak industry associations, and employee and employer representatives to discuss skills and workforce needs with Government.

Significant strides have already been made, with the Commission establishing 10 new Industry Skills Councils earlier this year.

These Councils will work to engage with industry around skills and training with a desire for them to have a lead role in the development of the skills system as well as how people are trained. I am excited to see what these councils will be bringing including ideas, and perspectives to produce recommendations and direction for the skills and training system in our state.

With the automotive industry continuing to be an important sector here in our state, a dedicated

Manufacturing and Automotive Skills Council was established. The Motor Trade Association (MTA) has a lead role and will be instrumental in ensuring we have a strong understanding, not only of the industry’s key challenges, but also the opportunities to develop and progress based on skills.

Progress can already be seen with the launch of SA’s first dedicated Electric Vehicle Training Centre, in September last year.

With more South Australian’s choosing to purchase an EV, the new centre will help facilitate this ongoing and future demand. It has been great to see MTA apprentices undertaking their training on the latest vehicles with cutting-edge tools, technology and safety requirements.

Building on this, the Commission has recently partnered with the MTA to formally establish the first automotive dual trades in Australia. This combines either a light or heavy vehicle apprenticeship with an automotive electrical apprenticeship, equipping apprentices with the skills needed now and into the future. It is a great example of how, in partnership with industry, the skills system can develop and respond to specific workforce needs.

As South Australian Skills Commissioner, I am also committed to ensuring apprentice and trainee training and safety is a focus of our working into the future. Many apprentices and trainees are aged between 16 and 21 years old, and inexperienced in the world of work. Helping them navigate workplaces for the first time and ensuring they are provided with the on-job training they signed up for, and their safety, both physical and psychological, is important.

Additionally, the Commission is working with the MTA on running WorldSkills Australia – the largest vocational education and excellence competition, providing students with a platform to showcase and benchmark their skills nationally and globally.

It is exciting to see the MTA re-engaged in this international program and I am looking forward to seeing lots of MTA students putting their skills to the test.