ANZSCO 3212-11,12,13Tasmania

Motor MechanicsNovember 2017

Labour Economics Office Tasmania

Department of Jobs and Small Business

Current labour market rating3212-11 Motor Mechanic (General) – No Shortage

3212-12 Diesel Motor Mechanic – Shortage

3212-13 Motorcycle Mechanic – Cannot rate

Previous labour market rating (December 2016)3212-11 Motor Mechanic (General) – No Shortage 3212-12 Diesel Motor Mechanic – No Shortage

3212-13 Motorcycle Mechanic – Cannot Rate

Comments

Tasmanian employers reported that they are able to fill vacancies for motor mechanics (general), but the majority of employers seeking qualified Diesel Motor Mechanics are unable to fill vacancies. Due to low numbers of advertised vacancies in the survey period, motorcycle mechanics cannot be rated.

Survey results[1]

  • The Survey of Employers who have Recently Advertised was conducted for the occupation of motor mechanics in November and included motor mechanic (general), diesel motor mechanic and motorcycle mechanics.
  • Employers seeking motor mechanics (general) were able to fill 60 per cent of surveyed vacancies. This was a decrease from 2016 where 86 per cent of surveyed vacancies were filled.
  • Vacancies for motor mechanics (general) received an average of 6.5 applicants which was higher than the average of 3.1 applicants in 2016.
  • Of these, an average of 1.4 applicant had qualifications (lower than the 3.1 applicants in 2016) and approximately one applicant per vacancy was considered suitable, similar to 2016.
  • Employers seeking diesel motor mechanics filled 25 per cent of surveyed vacancies, which was a substantial decrease from 2016 where 67 per cent of surveyed vacancies were filled.
  • Vacancies for diesel motor mechanics received an average of 1.5 applicant per vacancy, which was lower than 2016, where there were 9.5 applicants per vacancy.
  • Of these, an average of less than one applicant had qualifications and less than one applicant was considered suitable by employers. This was a decrease for both measures when compared to 2016 (5.2 applicants and 0.7 applicant respectively).
  • A broad range of businesses were surveyed across Tasmania and included local and heavy vehicle workshops, vehicle dealerships and service workshops. There was a geographic spread of vacancies for motor mechanic (general) and diesel mechanics across Greater Hobart and regional areas.
  • Most employers required the successful applicant to have completed an apprenticeship and hold the relevant qualification for the specialisation, including Certificates of Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology or Motorcycle Mechanical Technology.
  • The consensus of employers across the specialisations was that their recruitment experience was more difficult than in recent years, many citing the decrease in the pool of qualified tradespeople and the decrease in the number of apprentices.
  • Due to the nature of some vacancies, soft skills were highly valued with employers seeking motor mechanics with customer service or administrative skills and the ‘right fit’ for the business.
  • Several employers shared they are looking overseas for qualified motor mechanics, others reported receiving overseas applications but these were disregarded.

Unsuitable applicants

  • In some cases, qualified applicants were considered unsuitable because their skills and experience did not match the vacancy requirements, such as field experience, industrial or fleet vehicle maintenance.
  • The majority of unsuitable applicants were unqualified. Other reasons applicants were considered unsuitable were low quality applications, failed reference checks or were not considered an appropriate fit for the business.

Demand and supply trends

  • Please note, commonly used data sources do not supply data at the specialisation level, as a result demand and supply trends are largely demonstrated using available data for motor mechanics.
  • The ABS Labour Force figures showed that the number of persons employed in the motor mechanic occupation in Tasmania for the August 2017 quarter was 3,003, this was a 59 per cent increase from August 2016 (1,892) and over the ten year period it was the second highest recording, slightly lower than February 2011 (3,034).[2]
  • The ABS Motor Vehicle Census shows Tasmania had a total of 469,467 registered vehicles in January 2017. This represents an increase of 2.6 per cent when compared to the number recorded in 2016 and an increase of 8.7 per cent when compared to 2012.
  • Additionally, from 2012 to 2017 Tasmania recorded an increase of 20.3 per cent in motorcycle registrations.
  • Petrol engines remained steady over the five years to 2017 at 1.1 per cent whilst diesel engines recorded an increase of 45.5 per cent.[3]
  • Entry-level training for the occupation mostly comes from the apprenticeship system through the delivery of a Certificate III in courses such as Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology and Motorcycle Mechanical Technology. The number of mechanics who completed training in the four quarters to June 2017 was 75, which is a 42 per cent decrease to the 2012 completions (129) and 24 per cent lower than June 2007 (99).[4]

Other indicators and issues

  • Employers indicated qualified motor mechanics often relocate interstate seeking higher wages, particularly in the mining industry. Some mechanics then return to the state seeking wages comparable to the mining industry which local employers cannot provide.
  • Employers highlighted that the current age profile of qualified motor mechanics may be an issue for the future.

Labour Economics Office Tasmania

Department of Jobs and Small Business

[1]The methodology underpinning this research is outlined at Skill Shortage Research Methodology | Department of Jobs and Small Business - Document library, Australian Government and can also be accessed by the QR code.

[2]Australian Bureau of Statistics, Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly, Aug 2017, Cat. No 6291.0.55.003, Table EQ08

[3]Australian Bureau of Statistics, Motor Vehicle Census, Australia, 28 Jul 2017,Cat.no. 9309.0.

[4] National Centre for Vocational Education Research, Apprentices and Trainees, June 2017, estimates (limited to certificate III qualifications), unpublished