A broad section of the industry attended, including collision repairers and industry suppliers

Industry representatives attended the Australian Collision Industry Alliance (ACIA) event at the Motor Traders Association of South Australia recently to discuss how the industry can work together to tackle the skills shortage in Australia. 
This is the sixth information evening held since the ACIA was set up to inform the industry of the alliance’s strategy to attract new talent into the industry and to encourage businesses to join.
ACIA board member Rob Bartlett was there to explain the aims of this not for profit and how it will undertake to raise the profile of the industry with the public and to promote careers in collision repair.
“It was great to be able to share the vision for ACIA’s national approach to tackling our skills shortage,” Rob said.
“We’re still a young organisation with a way to go and lots to do. Together, as a collective, there is so much more we can achieve to address the biggest challenge to the sustainability of our industry.
“I would like to thank MTA SA for hosting our information session and congratulate them on the great work they are doing with their apprentice training program.”
Dario Tonon from Eblen Crash Repairs attended the evening and joined the ACIA immediately.
“Any initiative to attract young people into the industry is welcome. As it becomes more technical it should appeal to younger people, we just have to get the message out there,” Dario said.
The ACIA reports it has 49 members to date from a cross-section of the industry and is growing with each event it hosts across Australia.

For more information, to join a working group or to become a member of the ACIA, email info@theacia.com.au