The world is your oyster’ – that’s something we’ve all heard in our lives at one point or another.
In particular, many of us have heard it at the end of our schooling years, when we’re trying to figure out our lot in life.
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At some point, however, it seems we’ve overdone the oyster a bit, so to speak.
Now more than ever, the options for high school leavers are seemingly endless.
While that may seem great, it can also be overwhelming.
Australia – like many countries – finds itself in the grips of a skills shortage.
In the auto landscape, we see many professions desperate to attract more apprentices.
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Does having too many options these days make it harder for skilled trades to keep up?
Personally, the option of undertaking a trade after high school wasn’t highly touted by my teachers.
Getting into a good university was presented as the best outcome, while going to a TAFE or becoming an apprentice was downplayed.
I haven’t regretted my decision personally, but I’ve certainly come to appreciate skilled apprenticeships over time.
Many of my fellow school leavers who weren’t certain about their initial graduation choices have gone into various trades, and absolutely loved it.
Why then, are trades talked about as a second-class option?
The blue-collar stigma has been something mechanics have battled throughout history, but it seems – now more than ever – the pipeline is running dry.
Industry bodies, manufacturers and government agencies are seeking to solve this issue, and we dive into it in this edition of Australian Car Mechanic.
A lot of it has to do with changing perceptions of auto repair mechanics/technicians to those in high school.
Not to say high schoolers should be force-fed into occupations experiencing shortages, but certainly the idea of going to TAFE should have equal footing to university.
Mechanics are some of the smartest individuals I know, and the profession itself can certainly be rewarding both personally and financially to those who do it well.
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The mindset around taking up a trade is slowly changing, thanks to the work many of the organisations featured in this edition are doing.
Hopefully soon we’ll see the fruit of their hard work, as more young people scratch their inquisitive itch by becoming a
mechanic.
Harry Murtough – Editor