ANZSCO 3212-11,12,13 Victoria

Motor Mechanics December 2016 Current labour market rating Metropolitan Shortage Previous labour market rating (October 2015) Shortage Comments The survey found that a shortage of motor mechanics, including diesel and motorcycle mechanics, is currently evident in metropolitan Victoria, which is consistent with results surveys conducted in the last few years in Victoria. Survey results Sixty per cent of vacancies surveyed were filled in 2016. These results are similar to survey results since 2011 with the exception of 2015 (which resulted in 48 per cent of surveyed vacancies filled). Employers considered an average of 1.4 applicants per vacancy were suitable which is a slight increase on previous years which saw an average of 1.1 applicants per vacancy considered suitable. Seventy-three per cent of employers surveyed reported that a lack of basic qualifications, specific experience or failing a skills test resulted in applicants being considered unsuitable. One third of employers advised that they would take, or had taken, on apprentices in the absence of finding a suitably qualified applicant. Thirty-five per cent of all vacancies required additional trade related competencies such as VicRoads roadworthy accreditation for motor mechanics; heavy rigid or heavy combination truck driving licences for diesel mechanics; and motorcycle licences for motorcycle mechanics. The majority of surveyed vacancies (95 per cent) required applicants to hold a trade qualification relevant to the motor mechanics occupation. Employers with vacancies for motor mechanics noted that, due to an increased reliance on technology, applicants with diagnostic skills were difficult to find. Role settings Surveyed employers were from a number of industry sectors including motorcycle and vehicle sales, vehicle repair and maintenance, freight, agriculture and earthmoving. Vacancies related to the repair and maintenance of motorcycles, passenger and light commercial vehicles, or trucks and heavy machinery. Experience Employers sought applicants with demonstrable trade skills including diagnostics, scheduled servicing and maintenance. Experience was preferred but often not essential in specialised areas such as: agricultural or civil machinery for diesel mechanics; and vehicle pre-delivery roles or roles involving specific makes of vehicle.

Labour Economics Office Victoria Department of Employment Skills and personal attributes  Key factors employers used to assess an applicant’s suitability included previous experience and a stable work history, as well as performance which could be verified through reference checking.  Reasons employers across the motor, diesel and motorcycle mechanic occupations considered applicants unsuitable included a lack of adequate personal presentation standards and poor communication skills.  Employers across the surveyed occupations consistently identified a range of preferred employability skills and personal attributes such as customer service skills, dedication to health and safety, strong communication skills, and a passion for the industry. Unfilled vacancies The three main reasons for unfilled vacancies were that applicants lacked basic qualifications, lacked specific experience or were not located within a reasonable proximity of the workplace. Employers with vacancies for diesel mechanics suggested that a shortage of supply in this area was due to extensive roadworks underway in Victoria which has led to truck driving opportunities. Other Employers perceived there to be a shortfall in apprenticeship commencements and completions and suggested that this was impacting on the current and future labour supply for mechanics. Employers also perceived that apprenticeships no longer adhered to a broad-based, long term learning model and that this has affected the quality of apprenticeship outcomes. Overall, employers perceived that there was a shortage of qualified and experienced applicants. Further, employers with diesel mechanic vacancies noted that long hours, dirty and physically demanding work made the industry less desirable than other highly remunerated trades. Demand and supply trends Demand is expected to remain high for this occupation as it is largely related to the automotive repair and maintenance sector, which is closely linked to the age of road registered vehicles. 1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows the estimated average age of passenger vehicles in Victoria was 9.8 years for 2015 and 2016, a decrease from 10.1 in 2011. The number of registered passenger vehicles in Victoria increased by 2.3 per cent for the year to January 2016, or 10.75 per cent since January 2011.2 ABS new motor vehicle sales data indicates that demand will continue to be strong with an increase of almost four per cent for the year to October 2016, or 20.45 per cent since October 2011.3 In the year to March 2016, 991 people completed certificate III courses relevant to the motor mechanic (general), diesel mechanic and motorcycle mechanic occupations in Victoria, which is slightly lower than the ten year average of 1015 completions.4

1 ABS, 2011 Census, Occupation by Industry of Employment 2 ABS, Cat. no. 9309.0, Motor Vehicle Census, Australia, 31 Jan 2016, Table 3. Estimated Average Age of Motor Vehicles, Type of vehicle – census years; and Table 3 Motor Vehicles on Register, Type of vehicle – census years. 3 ABS, Cat. no. 9314.0, Sales of New Motor Vehicles, Australia, Table 2: New Motor Vehicles Sales by State, Type, October 2016 4 NCVER, Apprentices and Trainees, March 2016, estimates