Industry representatives attended the Australian Collision Industry Alliance (ACIA) event at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) in December 2023 to discuss how the sector can work together to tackle the skills shortage in Australia.
The meeting was the fifth information evening held since the ACIA was set up in May this year to inform the industry of the alliance’s strategy to attract new talent and to encourage businesses to join.
CIT’s Adrian Gibbons told the audience that the institute had trained apprentices for nearly 100 years. Gibbons reported a rise in enrolments for refinish at the institute and that nearly 40 per cent of next year’s intake are women.
Sam Street, who helped form the ACIA, spoke about the organisation’s mission while ACIA directors Sarah Moynihan from Fortress and Rob Bartlett from Supply Side discussed the working groups, the board structure, the alliance’s achievements in its first six months and plans for next year. It was also announced that the ACIA would have a stand at the Summernats in January 2024.
“The response to the launch of ACIA from the industry has been very encouraging,” said Bartlett. “People are realising that by working collaboratively we can actually make a difference, raise the profile of the industry and get the word out that there are many rewarding careers available.”
The ACIA said it has 46 members, a number that is growing with each event hosted across Australia.