Automotive Skills Alliance’s Advisory Panel Gets to Work

The first meeting of the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance’s (AUSMASA) Automotive Strategic Workforce Advisory Panel (SWAP) took place last week, bringing together members to discuss the latest industry research, projects, and initial Workforce Plan for 2024.

Founded in 2021, AUSMASA is one of a series of independent Jobs and Skills Councils set up by the Federal Government to provide industry with a stronger, more strategic voice in ensuring Australia’s VET sector delivers better outcomes for learners and employers.

At the first meeting for 2024, SWAP members – including HVIA CEO Todd Hacking (pictured above) – actively participated in sharing their expertise and insights.

The first meeting of the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance’s Automotive Strategic Workforce Advisory Panel

The recently released AUSMASA Initial Workforce Plan drove the conversation with members unpacking data insights, key attraction and retention issues, key trends, technologies and disruptors impacting the industry, diversification of the workforce, and opportunities for the 2024 plan.

Consensus was reached on progressing development of two additional opportunities identified in the Initial Workforce Plan.

The first is a Skills Mapping Project which is seen as an important research and engagement exercise to identify important training product development work within the automotive industry.

In addition, the project will include skills gap analysis for both current and future periods and create ‘personas’ of what each role would look like in each state. Skills mapping will help in the development of effective training packages that can address the current and anticipated skills gaps.

SWAP members discussed the latest industry research, projects, and initial Workforce Plan for 2024

The second opportunity identified is for a Careers Mapping Project to identify opportunities for new and changed training products, including innovative solutions such as higher apprenticeships.

Mapping career progression will help examine current entry pathways, including those through VET and beyond. Mapping on-the-job training to the apprentice’s career aspirations can help in both attracting and retaining the right candidates.

To find out more – and help shape and improve AUSMASA’s 2024 Workforce Plan – join an interactive webinar being held on Wednesday, March 6. Register here.