The Jobs and Skills Council for the mining and automotive industry, Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance, has released research on students’ perceptions of careers in the automotive sector.
The research finds that there is a widespread lack of awareness among young Australians about the potential of careers in the automotive sector. Almost two-thirds (61%) of high school students and 47% of career starters aged 17 to 25 are unaware of the career opportunities available in the industry.
Interest in automotive careers is also very unevenly distributed. Regional students, particularly males in Years 11 and 12, show higher levels of engagement (72%) compared to their metropolitan peers (56%). Unfortunately, a pronounced gender disparity persists, with female students (22%) showing significantly lower interest than males (59%). Encouragingly, First Nations students show above-average interest in automotive careers (56% compared to 30% of the general population), offering a key opportunity to support more inclusive participation.
The study reports young people being attracted to innovation, with both high school students and early career seekers expressing interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced automotive technologies.
Over half of students surveyed (58%) view the automotive industry as vital to the Australian economy, and 50% see it as instrumental in helping the nation meet its net-zero targets.
Despite the sector’s evolution, outdated perceptions persist. Young Australians continue to view the industry as low-tech, physically demanding, male-dominated, and lacking clear career pathways. Addressing these misperceptions will be critical for broadening entry points into the industry and encouraging more diverse talent.
The research identifies a need for clearer career progression pathways, and improved professional development to retain automotive workers in the industry.
AUSMASA’s 2024 Industry Workforce Plan highlights significant skill shortages across the automotive industry, and the Australian Financial Review reports estimates from Motor Traders Association of NSW that Australia needs approximately 7,000 EV technicians to service the growing numbers of electric vehicles in Australia.
Clearly there are many opportunities for the VET sector to work with the automotive industry as it expands and changes and to help engage more young people in automotive careers.
