ANZSCO 3241-11,3243-11Australian Capital Territory

Panelbeater and Vehicle PainterNovember 2017

LabourMarket Research and Analysis Branch

Department of Employment

Current labour market ratings
3241-11 PanelbeaterShortage
3243-11 Vehicle PainterNo Shortage

Previous labour market ratings (October 2016)
3241-11 PanelbeaterShortage
3243-11 Vehicle PainterInsufficient evidence to determine a rating

Comments

Employers who advertise through formal methods are unable to attract any applicants, leaving vacancies unfilled. Those who advertise through informal methods (such as word of mouth or referrals) still face difficulties but are more likely to find suitable workers and fill their vacancies.

Survey results[1]

  • Low applicant numbers is a key feature in these labour markets.
  • Few advertised vacancies were identified during the research period. Discussion with employes who were cold canvassed indicated that recruitment for these roles is generally through word of mouth.
  • Employers typically undertake this approach because they have been unable to attract applicants through formal advertising.

Panelbeater

  • Shortages of panelbeaters are evident.
  • Just 43 per cent of surveyed vacancies were filled.
  • There was an average of 0.4 applicants per vacancy.
  • Employers who advertised through formal methods did not attract any applicants and were unable to fill their vacancies.
  • By contrast, those who recruited through word of mouth each received at least one applicant (who was typically considered to be suitable). These employers noted that they had stopped advertising formally due to poor response rates.
  • Some employers mentioned that they approached panelbeaters who were already employed elsewhere in order to fill vacancies.

Vehicle Painter

  • No shortages of vehicle painters were identified during this research period.
  • Around 83 per cent of vacancies were filled.
  • Employers attracted an average of 1.2 applicants per vacancy, of whom 0.8 were considered to be suitable.
  • Although almost all employers filled their vacancies, many found recruitment to be difficult.
  • A number of employers needed to use word of mouth or approach already employed workers after poor responses to formal advertising.
  • Some employers hired interstate applicants who then had to travel to the ACT for work.

Employer requirements

  • Employers were seeking qualified and experienced applicants.
  • In some instances, employers decided to hire an apprentice after they were unable to attract qualified tradespeople.

Demand and Supply trends

  • These are small labour markets, with around 130 panelbeaters and 90 vehicle painters employed in the ACT in 2016.[2]
  • Demand for panelbeaters and vehicle painters is influenced by the number of motor vehicles on the road and related accidents.
  • The number of registered motor vehicles in the ACT increased by 10.7 per cent over the five years to 2017.[3]
  • Despite rising motor vehicle registrations, the number of on-road crashes has fallen by around 7 per cent since the recent peak in 2011.[4]
  • Training for these trades is generally through the completion of an apprenticeship. The number of people completing apprenticeships relevant to these occupations are low in the ACT.
  • Apprenticeship completions have averaged around 10 per year over the past five years for these occupations.[5]

LabourMarket Research and Analysis Branch

Department of Employment

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

[2]ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 2016

[3] ABS, Motor Vehicle Census, Australia, 2017

[4] ACT Government, 2016 ACT Road Crash Report, August 2017

[5]NCVER, Apprentices and Trainees, June 2017, estimates. Data are for the broad group of panelbeaters, vehicle body builders, vehicle body trimmers and vehicle painters.