Industry Snapshot: Automotive

Anything to do with the design, operation, manufacture, or sale of automobiles and automotive parts makes up this industry.

The automotive industry is a major sector of the Australian economy with an annual turnover exceeding $50 billion. The industry employs over 400,000 people across more than 60,000 businesses. Career opportunities exist thoughout the two main areas of:

  • Retail, Service and Repair
  • Vehicle and Component Manufacturing

With the rapid advances in technology and introduction of computer technology to light vehicles in the last decade, the work of a traditional tradesman in this area is very different to what it was in the past. Gone are the days of dirty work and dirty workplaces. Many automotive workplaces today are clean, safe and customer focused. The adoption of cutting edge equipment and technologies requires skilled and enthusiastic employees.

As one of biggest global industries, working in the automotive industry provides diversity in terms of potential opportunities, experience and people. This includes assembling and selling cars, as well as dealing with many industries and companies who supply materials or components to car manufacturers.

If you're interested in practical and manual work, enjoy problem-solving and a fast-paced environment this could be the industry for you.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Around 960,000 new motor vehicles are sold each year in Australia
  • Around 360,000 vehicles are produced domestically
  • The automotive sector is much larger than traditional data would suggest, with over $27 billion of sales per year.
  • Four companies produce motor vehicles in Australia - Holden, Toyota, Ford and Mitsubishi
  • These companies produce five main vehicle models at four plants in Victoria and South Australia and are supplied by more than 200 component manufacturers
  • Total sales by the four vehicle producers are around $17 billion a year.

SPOTLIGHT - What jobs are there?

Automotive Electricians - install, maintain, identify faults and repair electrical wiring and computer-based equipment in motor vehicles and related equipment. Opportunities are varied and can include working in the automotive service business, for a vehicle manufacturer, or in a motorsports team. The chance to specialize, be paid well and travel worldwide is also a feature of this trade.

Vehicle Body Makers - manufacture purpose-built bodies to fit chassis produced by other manufacturers. They also modify and repair vehicle bodies. They may work on buses, caravans, mobile workshops, semi-trailers, refrigerated vans, horse floats and special police vehicles. If you like to see a finished product, this is a great field to work in.

Panel Beaters - repair damage to metal, plastic and fibre glass bodywork on vehicles. They also make and form vehicle panels using machines or hand tools. The satisfaction of restoring something to its former glory has great appeal for some. Good manual dexterity, normal colour vision and mechanical aptitude are good traits for this role.

Spray Painters/Autobody Repairers - spray paint onto the bodywork of a motor vehicle by means of a spray-gun in order to change the colour or to repaint scratched and damaged paint work. They are also responsible for preparing the surfaces which are to be spray-painted and for mixing the paint to the exact shade required. Those with precision, creativity and an aptitude for colour and painting would find this job stimulating.

  • Vehicle dealerships
  • Repair workshops
  • Specialist repair and parts businesses
  • Transport firms
  • Defence Forces, Mining and Agricultural industries
  • Marine or boat engine workshops
  • Bicycle workshops and manufacturers

JOB OUTLOOK

The number of Automotive jobs increased by 6.6% between 2001-05. For each year until 2010, around 1,620 additional workers will be needed.

Between 2000 and 2005 the total number of Automotive apprenticeship commencements increased by 205% across Australia.

SOURCES

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) Vfacts, Automotove Training Australia (ATA) Industry Skills Report 2006, NCVER, Australian Bureau of Staistics (ABS); myfuture.edu.au; Job Guide 2007, MTAA Motorfacts 2006; Department of Industry, Tourism & Resources Key Automotive Statistics 2005.

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