If you don't train, don't complain.

If we want plenty of skilled auto technicians and collision repairers in the sector, we must invest in training apprentices.

That’s the message coming through in a series of interviews done as part of our work to identify what MTA can do to help solve the shortage of qualified people.

MTA commissioned Karl Martin, the former head of Auckland Unitec’s automotive training programme and a consultant on business growth to talk to several members who support apprentices to carry out the interviews.

Karl says, “I spoke with people from across the country, from vehicle repairers to collision repairers and auto electrical businesses. I also visited franchise dealers and trainers. All unanimously talked about how hard it was to find apprentices and qualified staff.”

In general businesses indicated they wanted home-grown staff rather than those from overseas.

However, most also knew an apprentice was good for their business and many had at least one apprentice finishing and another one starting.

“All of them felt they were better off training someone themselves so they could develop the apprentice to meet their particular expectations and company culture.”

Despite a common belief within the sector that training an apprentice was not cost-effective, Karl says those he spoke to felt that in general, apprentices paid their way well within a year and franchise dealers felt they were making money for the business almost immediately.

The common issue was how to attract the right young person into the industry.

Multi franchise dealer Fairview Motors in Hamilton has four branches in the Waikato region and employs 200 people. They take on between three and five apprentices each year.

General Manager Bill Forrest was one of those interviewed. “It is important to invest in apprentices at an early age and as an employer, to roll with the punches.The only way you can guarantee continuity of good staff is to train them yourself, monitor their progress, and work with them.”

He is also clear that a successful apprenticeship programme was a cornerstone to the success of a business. For 18 years Fairview have invested in a separate NZQA training school. Dealer principal Dennis Sexton set up the school to offer pre-apprentice auto training and subsequent employment opportunities for young people in the district.

“With the challenges that the modern auto trade has today, it is vital that apprentices come well prepared.”

Bill doesn’t believe today’s young people are any different from those of his generation. “I was a cheeky young kid when I was 17; if anything some of these boys today are better prepared than we were.” He says if employers put the effort in, they get results back.

Mills Collision Repair, also in Hamilton, has been in business for over 40 years. Carol and Kevin Mills believe they have a responsibility to train apprentices. “If you don’t train, don’t complain. We have at least four apprentices on the payroll all the time,” says Carol.

To keep on top of what is happening with her apprentices, Carol makes a point of meeting each month with their MITO contact.

To incentivise her apprentices, Carol also links pay increases to every three units that are completed and tries to get IAG scholarships so they don’t need to pay fees.

Nigel Crean of the Extra Mile Auto Centre at Ngongotaha agrees it is difficult to find the right apprentice. He employs six staff, one of which is starting his apprenticeship and another is in his third year. “With six, it works. An apprentice is an asset, they help to give you, the owner-operator, a life."

Nigel says his local polytech has made major changes recently and now works more closely with local industries to ensure their students better match employers’ needs.

Keeping good staff, once they’re qualified can also be difficult. Nigel says he has an exit strategy coming into play. “One way to retain guys is to give them a chance to buy into the business.”

Branch Manager for South Canterbury Toyota Andy Wilson says he has just taken on two apprentices from the local polytech pre-trade course. He believes the sector has an exciting future. “With autonomous cars on their way, and all the electronics that are coming in as standard on new vehicles, we need to build understanding of how exciting the future is.”

Gillian and Colin Stevens own a general repair workshop in Silverdale. They felt more needed to be done to promote the auto trade as a career, with the opportunity to get ahead, and even become self-employed. They have recently employed a qualified auto technician who hopes to buy a similar business one day. Gillian says it’s not unusual for employees to go on to become owners. “You teach them the way your business runs and have them as part of the fabric of your business and the clients – it’s then an easy transition and a guarantee of an exit strategy,” says Gill.