The skills required to work on specialist vehicles are quickly being lost due to the ageing nature of the current workforce and low adoption rates in these bespoke trades by young people coming through.
There is a lack of opportunities available with the cost of training for small businesses being prohibitive. There’s however a real need to attract people to the industry to secure its future and Modern Classic Cars Foundation are taking on the task.
Tinker back in time
With plans to reverse the trend and overcome the current skills shortages affecting the specialist vehicle industry, David Dyer has established the Modern Classic Cars Foundation. As a not-for-profit, ACNC approved charity, MCCF can put their focus on hands-on training and development of their apprentices all while restoring and working on a spectrum of classics ranging from 1920-1990.
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Dyer, who has operated a successful vehicle restoration business in Sydney for the past 10 years, recognised firsthand the huge problem in getting staff and work done within the industry. After speaking with other businesses, government and education bodies it came to light that the perfect setup to provide the training already existed in his business so made the decision to convert it to a foundation, creating a resto academy focused on training and education.
MCCF will be providing skills training to apprentices across various trades relating to the specialist vehicle industry and ensure there are ample training opportunities. Apprenticeships will be available in the areas of motor mechanics, auto electric, trimming, paint and panel and engine machining. To ensure the most supportive, hassle-free training opportunity to apprentices their education fees will be cost covered, tools and start up equipment supplied, and training will be close quarters and hands on with experienced, senior tradespeople.
Along with ensuring that their apprentices receive sign-off in their chosen trade, they will also be exposed to a range of bespoke skills such as working on a carburettor or magneto, rebuilding clocks or French polishing through in-house ran workshops. These skills are no-longer taught at Tafe, which makes sense given the cars of today, but are vital to be passed on to the next generation of classic car specialists.
At the conclusion of an apprentices training the goal for MCCF will be to assist them in securing a job within the industry, taking on an existing business or even growing their own and the foundation will provide ongoing support for tradespeople looking to go down this route.
Building for the future
MCCF will operate as a specialist vehicle mechanic and restoration company offering service and maintenance, restorations and modifications, EV conversions, smash repairs, engine machining and rebuilding and vehicle and part sales.
The range of work will provide plenty of training opportunities to apprentices across a range of skills and vehicles.
Currently, the foundation is in the process of taking on the first ten apprentices in Sydney. From there, the plan is to increase the number of apprentices based in the Sydney workshop to 15 with the intention to then “copy and paste” the system around the country with talks already underway for workshops in Melbourne, Brisbane
and Perth.
To assist in supporting the first batch of apprentices through their training and allowing for future intakes, MCCF are seeking financial support from business partners and sponsors.
For anyone looking to get involved as an apprentice, business partner, sponsor or even vehicle or parts donor more information can be found by visiting here or contact David at david@modernclassiccars.com.au