HVIA Seeks Workforce Development Group Volunteers

HVIA is calling for volunteers to join a new working group targeted at skills, workforce development and training.

In recent years, HVIA’s engagement and activity in these important areas has skyrocketed in direct response to the industry’s chronic skilled labour shortage.

This activity was borne out of a long history of acknowledging apprentices through our flagship awards program (Read more here), our popular School to Industry tours and Brisbane Truck Show’s National Apprentice Challenge.

In 2023, HVIA even ran the “Much More Than Just A Job” campaign targeted at school leavers (See more here).

Moreover, HVIA CEO Todd Hacking was recently appointed to the Strategic Workforce Advisory Panel (SWAP) for the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance, one of 10 Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) of the Australian Government’s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).

Todd Hacking sits on the Strategic Workforce Advisory Panel for the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance

Now, to help HVIA accurately represent our vast membership and to advance our advocacy, we are calling on volunteers to meet virtually via a specific working group.

“The first item on the agenda is to spearhead HVIA’s advocacy to have the terminology of ‘mechanic’ officially changed to ‘technician’,” Hacking says.

“We believe this seemingly small change not only better reflects the job of a modern-day tradesperson, but also enhances the appeal of a trades career to industry new-comers.

“But after that, we need to ensure that we have the right people in the room guiding our advocacy and policy development and ensuring that our efforts are being directed to the right areas.”

If you are interested email admin@hvia.asn.au and we will be in touch.