Jerry Withers and Scott Brown

The mere mention of an apprentice can bring to mind the image of a pimply-faced teenager, P-plates in hand, talking up their knowledge of cars while sweeping the shop floor and fetching smokos.

The tradition to date has indeed been to find that strapping youngster and sign them up for four years as an apprentice. They learn at your side and attend training until, eventually, you and the Registered Training Organisation are confident that you would trust them to fix your own vehicle unsupervised. That is four years you must retain their interest and passion for the industry before they can begin to earn you serious coin as an unsupervised trade-qualified mechanic.

As the automotive industry, and others, continue to be hit by a workforce shortage and the search for qualified staff becomes desperate, what is the alternative to this traditional route? How can you work the system to find quality staff for your business?

Jerry Withers of Withers Workshop in Ravenshoe, Far North Queensland found a way that is becoming more and more popular. Jerry found Scott Brown, a 45-year-old diamond in the rough, and signed him up with the MTA Institute as a mature-aged apprentice.

Scott has a strong background in cars and motorcycles. He spent more than 15 years working for Rocket Industries selling performance parts to race car drivers and engine builders all over Australia. His passion for motorsport has seen him travel from the East coast to the West coast and back working on Top Fuel bikes, professional burnout cars, Pro Mod drag race cars, speedway machines and an array of bits and bobs in between. At night he moonlighted in his own business designing and installing custom fuel, brake and cooling systems for high-end show cars and performance machines.

Despite spending his entire adult life working in the automotive industry, Scott had never been given the opportunity to complete his trade qualifications.
Jerry first met Scott when Scott was delivering parts. For more than a year, Scott would stop by every afternoon with a van load of parts and a chat about the cars that Jerry was working on. Before long, they were catching up outside of work hours to talk all things cars.

In June 2022, Jerry signed Scott up with the MTA Institute as a first-year apprentice Light Vehicle Mechanic. Most apprentice mechanics clean up the workshop on their first day. Scott took the engine out of a VE Commodore. By the end of his first week, he had repaired the engine and put it back in.
Apart from drawing on Scott’s 20-plus years of experience in the industry, Jerry said there are many more advantages to hiring a mature-aged apprentice.

“Unlike a teenager fresh out of school, Scott has the social skills to work one on one with customers,” he said. “His networks in the industry have already saved my business money as we source parts in a more efficient and economical manner. Most of all Scott is reliable, he isn’t ringing up on Monday morning calling in sick after a big weekend.”

The recent Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra reinforced the Government’s commitment to the apprenticeship path. There are already a number of Government incentives to hire apprentices including:

• Commencement incentives
• Recommencement incentives
• Completion incentives
• Additional Identified Skills Shortage payment
• Rural and Regional Skills Shortage incentive
• Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy trial
• Support for Adult Australian Apprentices
• Australian School-based Apprenticeship incentive
• Trade Support Loans

There are additional Mature-Aged Worker incentives, particularly in industries where there are identified skills shortages such as the Automotive industry which is listed on the Skills Priority List published by the National Skills Commission.

Government incentives are cold hard cash, and they can offset the expense of taking on an apprentice who needs training and guidance. Recent surveys have identified more and more trade-qualified people looking to reskill and make a change in their career. They might be a qualified mechanic who would like to reskill as an auto electrician or a panel beater. Your new hire may bring new skills and contacts to your business but just as importantly, they can bring in Government incentives to give your business cashflow.

Of course, finding your very own diamond in the rough, mature-aged apprentice might not be all smooth sailing. While the word ‘apprentice’ brings to mind a youngster, a worker in their 40s or 50s may not want to embrace that stereotype. You and your new hire might also want to get the trade qualification as quickly as possible, so they are able to manage jobs and work unsupervised. Reducing the four years to one, or even less, is possible. Once more, the MTA Institute can come to your rescue.

The Institute delivers the Trade Skills Assessment and Gap Training Program to assist experienced workers in the industry to be recognised for their accomplishments and prior learning. This allows individuals to achieve a trade qualification through a formal assessment of their skills and work experience to date. Eligible candidates may receive a government subsidy to have their trade qualifications recognised, while ineligible candidates can choose to pay for the service directly.

While Jerry is very happy with his new mature-aged apprentice, the question must be asked, is Scott also giggly about being an apprentice?

“Very much. This has been my dream since I was a teenager,” he said. “Finally I have an opportunity to get my formal qualifications, I am learning a lot through my MTA Institute training, and I feel proud that everything I have learnt in the industry to date is being acknowledged. Jerry is a fantastic mentor and I really appreciate the faith he has in me.”

The mature-aged apprentice option is a win-win for everyone. The employer gets a solid, reliable apprentice, the apprentice gets a chance to learn new skills and be recognised for their life experience to date, and the Government gets to pay more incentives to see the automotive industry has skilled, trade-qualified technicians on the tools. So, who do you know that is looking a bit long in the tooth but would like to get trade qualified in your field? Are you willing to give them a chance?

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (September 2022), Words: Lara Wilde, Pictures: Jess Donoghoe – Sweet Spot Photography

26 September 2022