It’s a time of tremendous change in automotive industry. Between the rise of new technology and servicing methods, new consumer attitudes and government regulations, the work of technicians has transformed (and doubled) overnight; meaning that now, more than ever, it is important for your business to remain in-the-know on the latest trends, risks and opportunities.
To add further pressure, it’s getting tougher to run a business. With inflation hitting and costs skyrocketing for rent, insurance, payroll, materials and everything in-between, getting the most bang for your buck is on the mind of every business owner.
Unfortunately, utilising professional services is often not a priority when tightening our financial belts; but not having sound advice and the right kind of representation can really hurt the bottom-line.
Fuel for the future
A member body such as the Motor Trader’s Association (MTA) is a way for you to save money, get support when you need it, and stay one step ahead. But which one? Australian Car Mechanic talks to one of the biggest, MTA NSW, to find out more…
The Motor Traders’ Association (MTA) is a not-for-profit membership association that represents the interests of the automotive industry in Australia, supporting a wide range of businesses with advice, training, service and products, on top of advocating and lobbying on important industry matters at the highest levels of government.
While working at a national level for the benefit of the whole auto industry in Australia, the MTA also has state-based chapters around the country, allowing the relevant associations to work directly with state government and policymakers on matters that directly affect members in their state, such as budgets and updates to consumer guarantees that will impact local businesses.
Like the industry itself, the MTA has transformed in recent years and looks very different to what you might have seen even five years ago; offering a more modern, relevant and beneficial organisation, focused on the needs of its members. In a nutshell, the MTA is there to help its members and the wider industry grow, develop and be heard – on top of offering a huge number of business-critical services, resources and equipment.
MTA NSW CEO, Stavros Yallouridis, explained why membership is a great way to protect and assist your business.
“MTA NSW is one of Australia’s leading membership organisations,” he said.
“Not only are we the voice of the industry, we provide a full range of services designed to support business owners and staff in the automotive industry.
“Regulatory, compliance, work health and safety (WHS), employee relations (ER), legal, and complaints: we are a one-stop shop.
“As a not-for-profit trade association, everything we do goes into providing the best possible support for our members.”
He continued, “there is a lot of pressure on the Australian industry right now, with a proliferation of new vehicle technology entering the market, which requires greater levels of business investment in terms of time, money and resources.
“MTA NSW is there to ensure members, and the wider auto network, aren’t left behind.”
Specialised approach
As a registered training organisation (RTO) MTA NSW also leads the way with vocational training and apprenticeships, which it implements in a flexible, in-house way to benefit students and their employers and reduce downtime between training sessions and work.
Considering the dollars and cents, MTA membership also makes a lot of business sense, thanks to discounted products via its member-only online store. This is all just part of the service, says General Manager – Membership and Sales, Jason Steporowski.
“If you consider the savings our members receive through discounted products, employment relations and legal advice, business insurance, and other types of support, the cost of membership is incidental,” he said.
“The more our members use our services and support teams, the more they save.”
Joining a member association: what are the benefits?
While member associations represent industry in the halls of government, at a business level, they also offer useful products and services, often at dramatically reduced rates compared to individual providers. So what do you get for your membership fees?
For starters, MTA NSW assists members in staying compliant with current regulations, offering both employment relations (ER) and workplace health and safety (WH&S) teams to help members navigate a multitude of employment and workplace matters, including awards and remuneration, leave entitlements, work cover and unfair dismissal claims.
Similarly, its legal team also offers a broad range of support that includes Fair Trading issues and Australian Consumer Law, non-payment of goods, contracts and commercial arrangements, as well as offering members a suite of user-friendly customisable business documents and forms, with the option of a legal review once completed.
The association can also offer interpretation of regulation and legislation, consumer complaint escalation support, and even mediation on tribunal matters before tribunals, such as NCAT.
Learn from the best
As we mentioned before, MTA NSW is an RTO, and provides a one-on-one, on-site approach to learning, using your workshop’s own tools. The association is already rolling out training modules on electric vehicles too, to ensure the industry is up to date with this important new technology.
Finally, let’s not forget the all-important ‘association’ part: MTA NSW members also get invited to attend a range of in-person and online events to discuss industry matters, share developments in best-practises and changes in regulation and, of course, network.
Whichever one you choose, joining a member association can make a lot of business sense – whether it’s getting the right advice or saving money on the things you need, joining your industry colleagues could be just the ticket to safeguarding your business, along with taking it to the next level.
To find out more, click here or call 02 9016 9000.