Ignition Magazine Australia | February 2022

FEBRUARY MARCH 2022 2021

FUTURE RIDE MG CYBERSTER

CAPRICORN

Stars

CAPRICORN RISING STARS NOMINATIONS OPEN SHOW YOUR APPRENTICES YOUR APPRECIATION.

CRS FIELD TEAM HERE TO HELP Gets warm welcome from Members

WOMEN FROM THE TOP What it’s like to run a Member business

STRONGER TOGETHER Overcoming barriers in automotive

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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2022

David Fraser Group CEO

CEO’s message

At Capricorn, we have the privilege to work with an incredibly diverse range of businesses. From our family owned and operated Members to our multinational Preferred Suppliers, we have the immense pleasure of seeing the passion and talent of the men and women working behind the scenes to create the automotive industry we have today.

And if I asked every Capricorn Member or Preferred Supplier to raise their hand if they had or have women working in their business, I would anticipate an abundance of hands rising into the air. For almost five decades, we have watched as women contribute an incredible amount of time, sweat and tears to our businesses, and our industry.

In early March, the world will recognise International Women’s Day, where we focus on how we can #BreakTheBias. It’s a call to action to help build a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, where differences are valued and celebrated.

Breaking the bias is a challenge the automotive industry must overcome.

Overcoming our biases, breaking down stereotypes and rewriting the narrative of the automotive industry as a ‘man’s industry,’ is a key step in building a sustainable automotive industry long into the future.

Creating a welcoming and diverse industry can alleviate some of the big challenges we face right now. For example, it has never been more important to close the skills gap and we shouldn’t limit our talent pool to one gender.

Overcoming our biases will mean we can attract a wider group of talent. We often like to think we don’t have any biases; however, often we aren’t even aware of them. We need to face up to the unconscious prejudices we may harbour and overcome some of the barriers preventing the diversification of the automotive industry.

When we can overcome these challenges, the benefits speak for themselves.

Research indicates having a diverse workplace is clearly linked to improvements in business performance, effectiveness, profitability, and revenue generation.

Women bring a wealth of skills and perspectives to our industry that increases creativity and innovation. From helping to finance and develop the first automobile, to designing cutting-edge vehicles, to leading one of the world’s largest car manufacturers, women have been behind some of the biggest innovations in the automotive industry.

The automotive industry can be a great place to work, but it’s long-term sustainability hinges on its ability to attract and retain a new talent, including a higher percentage of women. None of us are perfect, but it’s important we begin the journey now.

By providing safe spaces for all and welcoming a broader spectrum of people to the automotive industry — whether as team members, customers, or enthusiasts — we can create a diverse and sustainable industry ready for whatever is around the corner.

Yours in cooperation, David Fraser Group CEO

5 Could an Accident Cost You a Fortune?

Sometimes, accidents happen. Are you protected?

8 Auto

Aftermarket Expo Provides Ticket to Future Success

10 MG Cyberster 12 Women from The future is here. And it's sexy as hell.

the top

What it’s like to run a Member business.

14 NZ World

Leaders

An impressive record in international motorsport.

16 Capricorn Rising Stars

More than $20,000 in cash and prizes to be won!

18 Who's who in Collision?

National Collision Repairer spoke to Janrule Automotive Group.

20 Stronger Together

Overcoming gender barriers in the automotive industry.

22 Women in Automotive

Top 10 women you need to know in automotive.

24 We can all do it

Encouraging women to join the automotive industry.

26 Hiring an Apprentice?

Reasons why you need to!

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022 3

NEWS

CALENDAR of events Western Australia ESPERANCE MEMBER NIGHT 23 February 2022 BUNBURY MEMBER NIGHT 16 March 2022 KALGOORLIE MEMBER NIGHT 17 March 2022

South Australia

UPPER SOUTHEAST TRADESHOW *COMING SOON* MOUNT GAMBIER TRADESHOW *COMING SOON*

Queensland TOOWOOMBA TRADESHOW 23 February 2022 MACKAY TRADESHOW 16 March 2022

New South Wales/ACT

SOUTH AUSTRALIA GOLF DAY 4 March 2022

ORANGE SUPPLIER ROADSHOW 15 March 2022 WAGGA WAGGA SUPPLIER ROADSHOW 16 March 2022 CANBERRA SUPPLIER ROADSHOW 17 March 2022

Login to capricorn.coop today and select Events to register your attendance. For further information please call our Events team on 1800 327 437 or email events@capricorn.coop

Broadening Industry Horizons with AAAA Board Appointments The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) is pleased to welcome new directors to the AAAA Board.

AAAA is the national independent association representing the aftermarket, and the role of the Board is critical in further strengthening the Association’s ability to support, develop and futureproof the aftermarket industry.

A group of respected industry leaders nominated for the four available 2022 Board positions. After a fantastic voter turnout, the new Board positions were formally announced at the 41st AAAA Annual General Meeting, held on 25 October.

The successful candidates elected to the Board for a three-year term are: Mike Carnemolla, Director at The Garage Network; Peter Rogers, National Manager at Repco Authorised Service; Darren Robinson, Managing Director at Hella Australia; and Don Cormack, CEO of Adrad.

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“We are extremely fortunate to have such a repertoire of industry talent offer their services for the betterment of our industry. I wish to congratulate Darren and Don on their re-election to the Board, and provide a warm welcome to Mike Carnemolla and Peter Rogers,” said Stuart Charity, CEO of the AAAA. “With the worst of the pandemic hopefully behind us, I look forward to pursuing a new chapter for the automotive aftermarket with the AAAA Board. Along with Mark Pedder, our Chairman, I’d like to thank the entire AAAA Board for their insight and unwavering contribution to our fantastic industry through these challenging times. The AAAA is well-placed to continue its role in ensuring the growth of the industry and providing clear value to our members,” Stuart said.

The full list of AAAA Board Members and positions are available at www.aaaa.com.au/about-us/board-of-directors/

TM

Could an oopsie-daisy moment cost you a fortune?

“That was a $12,000 claim in damage to the car, the toolbox, and a lot of inconvenience.”

Rob urged Members to think carefully about the value of their assets and what impact it would have on their business if the item was taken out of action— especially if it’s a piece of equipment that is used every day.

“If you’re a tyre shop, for example, you might have a couple of tyre balancers and tyre changers,” Rob said. “Those are expensive pieces of equipment. If one of those is accidentally damaged, it could cost you a lot. But it could also cost you a lot more in business interruption.”

“Or if you’re a smash repairer and something accidentally happens to your spray booth and the electronics are completely gone, they’ve malfunctioned — imagine the cost of that unforeseen breakdown.”

Rob said the pain of having a vital piece of equipment offline was bad enough at the best of times but was made even worse if the equipment was still under finance.

With the best will in the world, sometimes, accidents happen.

They’re happening every single day, in workshops right across the country. Sometimes they’re big; sometimes they’re small. But, as Capricorn Risk Services’ New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Sales Manager Rob Sedkey warns, even small accidents can have big repercussions.

“Scan tools are a big one,” Rob said. “They’re expensive pieces of equipment but then someone leaves it on a car roof and drives off for a road test, and bang, it flies off and smashes. We’ve even had Members drive into toolboxes and some of them can be quite costly. A lot of the time these accidents are due to distractions.”

“We see those kinds of situations a lot. There’s the general dropping of things, accidental breaking of things, and running into things. That’s why having a range of different cover, including accidental damage protection may have a range of benefits for your business. It can have a real impact on a business.”

“Then you haven’t even paid it off yet and it’s broken,” he said. “So, if you haven’t got the right level, or have no level, of protection for the different elements which make up your business, imagine how you’d feel. You’d be absolutely ropeable.

“Yet it happens all the time.”

Accidents happen in myriad and sometimes unlikely ways. They’re unplanned and they’re unfortunate. But you can make dealing with the fallout of an oopsie-daisy moment much easier by ensuring you have the correct coverage for your business.

Capricorn Risk Services can help your business navigate the different protection policies, so you have peace of mind, no matter the ‘oopsie-daisy’ moments. Contact your Risk Account Manager today for more information.

Making sure you have a range of cover including general liability, accidental damage, general property, and engineering protection (which protects against loss or damage to machinery and electronic equipment due to the breakdown of such equipment) can protect yourself, your staff, and your customers.

“We had one claim where the Member’s gone to line up the car with the hoist to get it in position, put their foot on the accelerator, and ended up launching it into a toolbox,” Rob said.

Contact Capricorn Risk Services 1800 007 022 I info@capricornrisk.com I capricorn.coop/risk Products sold through Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd (ABN 93 111 632 789) are: (i) discretionary risk protection products issued by Capricorn Mutual Ltd; and (ii) general insurance products issued by a range of insurers and brokered through Capricorn Insurance Services Pty Ltd. Before deciding to acquire any product you should consider the Product Disclosure Statement available from Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd to see if the product is appropriate for you. Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 460893) of Capricorn Mutual Ltd (AFSL 230038) and Capricorn Insurance Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 435197).

Century Batteries Competition Winner Announced!

Century Batteries Preferred Supplier Bonus Point Promotion Capricorn Preferred Supplier, Century Batteries, continues to give back to Members with their competition to win a share of 1,000,000 Preferred Supplier Bonus Points.

Members who purchased a battery from Century Batteries between 1 October to 30 November 2021 received one

entry into the draw to win 200,000 Preferred Supplier Bonus Points. One prize per Capricorn zone was up for grabs.

Congratulations to Maude Diesel Services (VIC/TAS) accepting their 200,000 bonus points.

A big thank you to all Members who participated in the campaign! Keep an eye on Sparks for similar promotions in the future.

Get ready for Capricorn Events We are so excited to begin welcoming Members and Preferred Suppliers back to Capricorn events in 2022. It’s been a long time, and we cannot wait to catch up and hear what’s new.

As we begin to live with Covid-19, many of our external event providers and venues have new policies regarding vaccinations which we need to abide by to offer a safe, welcoming event for everyone involved.

Please be aware that when booking or attending a Capricorn event you may be required to provide proof of your Covid-19 vaccination status. You may be denied

entry to the event if you do not comply with the venue’s requirements, policies or any government restrictions or mandates that are in place at the time relating to Covid-19.

Requirements will differ depending on the event type, the location and the providers involved.

In addition, where you are booking travel through Capricorn as part of your attendance at the event, airlines and other travel providers may have policies related to Covid-19. Failure to comply with such policies may result in you being unable to travel with them.

We will do our best to communicate any requirements prior to booking the event, however, please feel free to contact our Events team via phone on 1800 327 437 or via email at events@capricorn.coop for more information.

These requirements have also resulted in an update to our Capricorn Events – Standard Terms & Conditions. To read the updated terms and conditions, visit capricorn.coop/terms-conditions We look forward to seeing you at a Capricorn event soon.

Make your workshop a more rewarding place to work.

Upgrade the staff kitchen with a new Delonghi Coffee Machine. Just one way you can use your points with Capricorn Rewards.

Spend your points at capricorn.coop/rewards

Participation in the Capricorn Rewards Program is subject to the Capricorn Rewards Terms and Conditions available at capricorn.coop/tc.

VISI

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FEATURES

PRI THE CORN A FUT T TH URE E W PAV ORK ILIO SHO N PO

F

Auto Aftermarket Expo Provides Ticket to Future Success

New Workshop of the Future Pavilion will help attendees futureproof their business The 2022 Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo (AAAExpo) will feature an exciting new Workshop of the Future Pavilion designed to show attendees how to prepare their businesses for the future.

The AAAExpo, co-located with the Collision Repair Expo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, is owned and organised by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) and will take place April 7-9, 2022.

The Workshop of the Future Pavilion is one of many exciting new developments set to provide great value for Expo participants and visitors. The AAAA will provide workshop owners, managers, and staff with the knowledge they need to make the right decisions for the future of their businesses and auto aftermarket career.

Across 225 square metres, the Pavilion will be fully enclosed with a layout replicating a futuristic workshop, bringing together state-of-the-art equipment and technology with regular presentations from industry experts across four key zones: Workshop Management Systems, EV/Alternative Fuel Repair Techniques and Workshop Equipment, ADAS Calibration Equipment, and Diagnostics and Tooling including J2534 Pass Through Technology.

“The theme for this year’s show is ‘the future is here’ and that is what we truly believe – the future is here now,” AAAA CEO Stuart Charity said.

“The vehicles being sold in showrooms and those which have been on the road for the last couple of years are changing what customers need across both mechanical and collision repair for a whole range of reasons.

We are seeing technology moving ahead at breakneck speed.

“To address this, we have developed the Workshop of the Future concept to target key technology areas and bring in subject matter experts to provide impartial information about what is going to be required in automotive and repair businesses. We will provide the information needed to make educated decisions on what to potentially specialise in, how to evolve, and what is needed to make positive business changes to keep meeting customer needs.

“This will all be delivered free of charge to Expo visitors in an impressively appointed demonstration and presentation pavilion in the heart of the 2022 Auto Aftermarket Expo. Attendees will be able to ask questions and can come back through the Pavilion at various times across the three days to enjoy presentations on the different key topics.

“This approach is a bit of a game changer for our Expo. It has always been about showcasing the very best companies and their equipment, and now we’re adding what our research tells us are the areas that workshops specifically want to better understand, and we will deliver this in a very objective environment.”

The Workshop of the Future Pavilion is just one initiative at the Expo that seeks to bring educational opportunities onto the show floor.

For the first time, the Expo – proudly sponsored by Repco – will incorporate a standalone seminar stage on the show floor, which will deliver a free comprehensive training and education program and enable exhibitors to showcase their latest products, technology and service offerings to a targeted trade audience.

Other exciting components of the 2022 Auto Aftermarket Expo include a modified and classic vehicle display area in the show concourse, celebrity appearances, interactive displays and competitions, the all-new 4WD Innovation Zone and, of course, an expansive range of exciting exhibitors.

For more information and to register to attend, head to www.autoaftermarketexpo.com.au 8 CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022

TM

Field team ‘here to help’, gets warm welcome from Members

“They’re all exceptionally welltrained and have a lot of coaching to ensure they’re following the strictest of protocols and guidelines.”

Who would you prefer to do business with?

“They’re all exceptionally well-trained and have a lot of coaching to ensure they’re following the strictest of protocols and guidelines,” Rob said. “When they’re assessing a risk, they understand it’s a cooperative and everything is to benefit Members.”

Someone who knows the automotive industry, knows you, and takes the time to understand your business and your needs? Or a stranger at the end of a phone in a call centre somewhere?

Members that purchase mutual protection through Capricorn Risk Services receive additional benefits including an instalment payment option at no additional cost, and the ability to earn rewards points on protections paid through their Capricorn Trade Account.

When it comes to the insurance and risk protection industry, these days the second option is a lot more common than the first. It’s becoming rare for business owners to have the name of a person who is responsible for the protection of their most important assets — let alone have that person actually turn up on their doorstep for a conversation about their coverage needs.

But according to Rob Sedkey, Capricorn Risk Services’ Sales Manager for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, that’s exactly why his team receives a warm welcome wherever they go.

“The difference is incredible,” Rob said. “I’ve worked in the Australian insurance industry for nearly 20 years now and it’s a very different feeling at Capricorn Risk Services. In my experience, unlike most sales roles where just getting the chance to speak to someone about what you’re offering is a battle, Members that don’t have risk protection welcome us with open arms when we call.

“Because we have the Mutual, they know everyone at Capricorn is there to help.” Capricorn Risk Services has a network of more than 30 Risk Account Managers across Australia and New Zealand and, while competitors are shrinking their field teams, Capricorn’s is growing.

Additionally, in Australia mutual protections don’t attract stamp duty of the fire services levy. Members also have the comfort of knowing that we can calculate their risk exposure using state-of-the-art estimator tools sourced from industry experts, to assist them when deciding on the appropriate level of protection for their business.

“Unlike some traditional insurers, we look at it every single year,” Rob said.

“There’s not one single renewal that goes through Capricorn that doesn’t get looked at either by the Risk Account Manager or the Risk Account Executive.”

Rob said the cooperative spirit is instilled into every member of the field team. “We have a set of values that stand behind, that we stand for,” he said.

“Everything we do, when we go in there to talk about levels of cover and protection, we do it with the best of intentions.

“I think it makes it very special. Everyone in Capricorn essentially is there to help.” If you’re not already a Capricorn Risk Services Member, get in touch today .

Contact Capricorn Risk Services 1800 007 022 I info@capricornrisk.com I capricorn.coop/risk Products sold through Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd (ABN 93 111 632 789) are: (i) discretionary risk protection products issued by Capricorn Mutual Ltd; and (ii) general insurance products issued by a range of insurers and brokered through Capricorn Insurance Services Pty Ltd. Before deciding to acquire any product you should consider the Product Disclosure Statement available from Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd to see if the product is appropriate for you. Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 460893) of Capricorn Mutual Ltd (AFSL 230038) and Capricorn Insurance Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 435197).

FUTURE RIDE

FUTURE RIDE

Lots to love about MG’s new

The future is here. And it’s sexy as hell.

Meet the MG Cyberster—a sporty little two-seater convertible with a sleek, up-to-the-minute design and more than a wink at the classic MGs of the 1960s. It’s as fresh as a contestant on The Bachelor and, as it does zero to 100 kmh in under three seconds, it moves about as fast as one, too.

Oh yeah, and it’s electric, with a stereotype-busting range of some 800 km.

There is, in short, a lot to love about this impressive roadster— both inside and outside.

Let’s start with what’s inside. The MG Cyberster has an intelligent all-electric architecture with an upgraded moduleless battery. It’s that technology which explains the zippiness and the range. As we’ve come to expect from the recent generation of concept cars, it features intelligent driving, Level 3 autonomous driving capability, advanced “smart technology” and 5G connectivity. Basically, you'd think you'd need to train at NASA to fix it.

But it’s outside where the MG Cyberster really captivates. It was designed by the team at SAIC Design Advanced London.

SAIC director Carl Gotham said the designers wanted to create a bold statement that “looks strongly into MG’s future”.

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“It touches on our heritage, but more importantly, it’s building on our cutting-edge technology and advanced design,” he said.

“Sports cars are the lifeblood of the MG DNA and Cyberster is a hugely exciting concept for us.”

The Cyberster inherits the classic convertible shape and takes some of its styling cues from the classic MGB Roadster.

The front face features the design of MG’s classic round headlamps and slender grille, along with interactive “Magic Eye” headlights that open when switched on. (They don’t just pop up, they respond to different modes. For example, in race mode, the headlights become a single sharp line.)

“In order to achieve better aerodynamic performance, the MG Cyberster has evolved the grille into an aerodynamic air duct leading to the front wheels, interpreting new aesthetics in the EV era,” MG explained in launching the vehicle.

roadster, outside and inside A flattened kammback tail design gives the Cyberster a very distinctive rear end and improves its aerodynamics. Its wide base, with its wheels set in the corners, gives the roadster an imposing, road-dominating look.

In the cockpit it has a large LED instrument display with a second central screen. The interaction is realized through full touch.

The Cyberster is no electric dream; it’s about to become a reality. Unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show in April last year, MG said the vehicle would go into production if there was enough interest . It is believed that the vehicle had more than 5000 registrations by July. So the Cyberster may be on the way.

In the line-up of all the amazing electric vehicles coming onto the market in the next year of two, the MG Cyberster is one any discerning Bachelor would give a rose.

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022 1 1

Women from the top

What it’s like to run a Member business We sat down with our Member Directors Julie Wadley and Lydia Stjepanovic to discuss what it’s like to run an automotive business in 2022 and demonstrate the career opportunities for aspiring women.

Member Directors Julie Wadley and Lydia Stjepanovic In 2019, the University of Sydney released their report titled One of the boys, investigating the work and career experiences of Australian women working in automotive trade occupations. One of the recommendations to improve women’s participation in the automotive industry was to increase the visibility of tradeswomen to give women role models.

Capricorn currently has three women sitting on our Board of Directors.

Two Member Directors, Julie Wadley and Lydia Stjepanovic, and Independent Director, Donna Vinci. Whilst Donna has vast experience across finance and IT (other traditionally male-dominated industries), for International Women’s Day, we sat down with our Member Directors Julie and Lydia to discuss what it’s like to run an automotive business in 2022 and demonstrate the career opportunities within the industry to aspiring tradeswomen.

Both Lydia and Julie are Capricorn Member Directors, meaning they simultaneously run successful automotive businesses and represent Member interests on the Capricorn Board of Directors. Both are busy positions that require a lot of experience, dedication, and time.

Julie began in the automotive industry when she and her husband opened their collision repair business in 1972. The business was a family passion, and when her husband became unwell and lost a hard-fought battle with cancer in 2008, Julie took on the management of the business by herself.

share one thing: a love for all things automotive. Julie and Lydia are no different, with different paths, and for different reasons, but both share the love for the automotive industry.

Julie’s husband was keen to be his own boss, so Julie worked to support their dream of business ownership in their early days. After spending years passionately running the business with her husband, developing the systems and processes to keep the business running smoothly, Julie transitioned to managing the business by herself when her husband fell ill.

Lydia, by contrast, was born into the automotive industry, so you could almost say she inherited her love. After helping her parents in the business during high school, Lydia finished a business management degree, fell into a customer experience role, and spent some time in the wine industry. When the opportunity to help her parents out became available, she returned to ‘help’ and has never left. As she explains, she and her husband ‘wake up in the morning, excited to go to work.’

When asked what keeps them going on the tough days, Julie and Lydia noted loving the challenges thrown their way as business owners.

Constantly overcoming the challenges keeps them passionate. As Julie mentioned, ‘if you can solve it, you’ve succeeded.’

Julie is Capricorn’s first-ever female Director, appointed in 2014, after dedicating years to the ongoing development of the automotive industry through numerous boards and committees. Julie has also busted the glass ceiling a few times, being the first person to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the MTA WA, the second woman to receive a similar award from the National Collision Repairer and winning the 2005 AAMI/Paint & Panel Best Small Shop award.

Lydia mentioned getting a thrill when she can change people’s perceptions about the automotive industry. She enjoys demonstrating that the modern workshop is a professional, specialised workplace full of passionate team members.

Lydia is our most recent addition to the Capricorn Board after being born and raised in the industry. A second-generation automotive business owner, Lydia initially explored a successful career outside the automotive industry before returning to her family business. Since purchasing her parents’ business in 2019, Lydia and her husband have driven doubledigit business growth, won multiple awards in business and customer service and been consecutive finalists in a national business award.

Running a business

Why the automotive industry Everyone comes to the automotive industry for different reasons, and on different paths. However, most people working in the industry all 1 2 CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022

Their advice when things get tough? When it’s difficult, you realise how good you are, and how much you love what you do.

It’s important to celebrate the wins we experience when running our businesses, no matter how big or small. After spending so much time under the hood of a car, or swept up in paperwork, it can be hard to see how far we have come.

As many Members’ reading will know, building a business from scratch is really hard. Breaking into the collision industry with different insurers and established repairer networks can be even harder. Proving her business was good enough and they could do the job is an achievement Julie is incredibly proud of.

Lydia is proud of the customer-centric workshop she and her team have worked hard to create. As she explains, so many people in the automotive industry are passionate people but struggle to communicate effectively with customers. Focusing on strong communication skills has made their workshop stronger, as anyone can talk to customers and provide exceptional customer service.

A few other business initiatives such as removing the hierarchical structure of the business to create a great workplace culture and building a new website have contributed to double-digit year-on-year growth for Lydia and her team.

And whilst we must celebrate the wins, it’s also important to acknowledge the challenges we have overcome to arrive where we are today.

Among the numerous challenges to running a business, the constant upgrade cycle and reaching capacity are challenges Julie has had to overcome. At the moment parts can also be a struggle to come by, so she has had to keep a larger parts inventory to compensate.

For Lydia, getting into the mindset of running a business, and juggling conflicting work and family commitments when working on the business by herself have been particular challenges. She also shared how unique it can be to learn how to work with a spouse, dividing responsibilities, creating processes and making sure everything gets done without stepping on each other’s toes.

As Julie notes on overcoming challenges, when running a business, you develop a gut

instinct. You make a decision, and you have to stick by it and own it. You can explain why you made the decision, but you can’t go backwards.

Lydia adds you can’t seesaw. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. You try your best to fix it and then move on.

Women in automotive When discussing how the experience of women in the automotive industry is unique, Julie mentions she has a giggle when sales reps make assumptions regarding the decisionmakers in the business. She says, ‘you can see the floor open up beneath them when my team come to find me.’

In Lydia’s workshop, she often finds customers still want to talk to a (often male) mechanic. Whilst the mechanics provide the same information, customers still have preconceptions regarding her ability to answer their questions.

Both Julie and Lydia admit being women in the automotive industry can be very difficult, as it is still quite male-dominated. Although, as Julie points out, there are a lot of opportunities for women in automotive, ‘it’s hard to break in, but the industry is starting to get there; it just takes time.’

Lydia builds on this saying, ‘anything worth doing is difficult and anything worth having requires persistence to attain. Consistency and showing up every day are the key to pushing through barriers.’ She also recommends allowing yourself to be imperfect, as we all fail, make mistakes and grow. True success turns

those failures into opportunities. In her words, ‘accept, acknowledge and then move on, and keep showing up, every single day.’

Being a woman in the industry can be positive for workshops and is something Julie credits as helping her to develop a respectful workplace culture, which bleeds into all facets of the business, including within customer service.

Whether a spray painter, a receptionist or a customer, respect is a core value within Julie’s team.

However, representation can be half the battle for women in automotive and Lydia notes that at times it can be difficult to find women. In her experience, the best thing she can do as a business owner is to be visible. Her advice for other women working in the industry? Be seen and be approachable, as demonstrating the different roles women fill within the industry, whether as a tradeswoman or an accountant, will help encourage other women to join the industry.

And regardless of where you are heading, you will have both critics and cheerleaders. Keep the cheerleaders close and hold yourself accountable for your future. Lydia recommends visualising where you want to be and start the journey. Whilst imposter syndrome is real, ‘don’t let that voice in your head stop you. It’s louder than all of your critics.’

For those looking for support, Julie recommends the Motor Trade Associations.

Lydia would also recommend looking outside of the automotive industry to other business network groups, for example, a local tradesperson business group provided her with some of the support she required.

The best thing I bring to my business In conclusion, we asked Julie and Lydia the best thing they bring to their businesses. For Julie, she brings the love and passion needed to run an automotive business. Whilst Lydia loves bringing a different perspective from her experience outside the automotive industry.

Julie and Lydia have both spent their time in the automotive industry smashing stereotypes and changing people’s minds.

In 2022, International Women’s Day asks us how we can Break the Bias for a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. By amplifying the achievements of the women within Capricorn, like Julie and Lydia, and promoting the opportunities for women in the automotive industry, we hope we can increase representation and provide role models for the next generation of Capricorn Members.

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022 1 3

NEW ZEALAND A WORLD LEADER IN MOTORSPORT

by Paul Marinelli

New Zealand ranks as the 75th largest country in terms of land mass and it sits at 121st for population size. Yet the land of the long white cloud has one of the most impressive records of success in international motorsport.

New Zealand racing drivers have accumulated one Formula One World Championship; 12 Formula One grand prix wins, including two at the famed Monaco Grand Prix; six victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours; six IndyCar Series Championships; one win in the Indianapolis 500; four Motorcycle Grand Prix Championships; three World Endurance Championship (GT/Sportscars) Drivers’ titles; one World Rally Championship round win; and, closer to home, a staggering 18 Bathurst 1000 victories and nine Australian Touring Car Championship/Supercars titles.

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In 2021 alone, Shane van Gisbergen won the Supercars championship, Andre Heimgartner claimed his first Supercars victory, Marcus Armstrong and Liam Lawson scored race wins in Formula 2, Scott McLaughlin raced to Rookie of the Year honours in the IndyCar Series and in the Indianapolis 500 (directly after winning three consecutive Supercars Championships), Brendon Hartley finished runner-up in the Le Mans 24 Hours (after having made it all the way to Formula One), Mitch Evans was a championship contender in Formula E, and Jaxon Evans won a race in the Porsche Supercup global championship.

From the pioneering efforts of 1967 Formula One world champion Denny Hulme, long-time grand prix driver Chris Amon, and legendary team founder Bruce McLaren to the international achievements of IndyCar great Scott Dixon and sportscar aces Earl Bamber and Hartley today, New Zealand well and truly punches above its weight in motorsport.

So how has a country of only five million people achieved so much motor racing success? It has invested in facilities and grassroots racing, beginning with go-karts and progressing up to the Toyota Racing Series, New Zealand’s premier openwheeler category, with the New Zealand Grand Prix the main event on its calendar.

New Zealand has eight permanent FIA-licensed racing circuits across the country: Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park (Taupo), Circuit Chris Amon (Manfeild Autocourse), Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, Highlands Motorsport Park, Pukekohe Park Raceway, Ruapuna Park, Teretonga Park and Timaru International Motor Raceway. Compare that to Sydney, also with a population of around five million, where Sydney Motorsport Park is the only permanent motorsport facility.

New Zealand’s motorsport interests are catered for with easily accessible circuits and plenty of categories across the various motorsport disciplines, for talent development. But it isn’t just the facilities that develop future champions.

New Zealand’s Elite Motorsport Academy is a collaboration between the New Zealand Sports Academy and the Otago University Physical Education Department. This is a sports science-focused academy with a mentorship program for its participants. While workshops cover physical training, psychology and nutrition, there’s also a major motorsport focus with classes on data analysis, regulations, and procedures, along with media training. Academy alumni include Bamber, Evans, Heimgartner, van Gisbergen and others.

New Zealand can also thank philanthropic competitors who have invested in facilities and talent. Ken Smith, three-time winner of the New Zealand Grand Prix who raced well into his 70s, played a key role in the careers of Dixon, Hartley, Matt Halliday and several more. Tony Quinn, an Australian GT regular who moved to New Zealand from Scotland, owns the Hampton Downs, Highlands and Taupo circuits there and recently added Queensland Raceway to his portfolio.

With the country’s strong developmental programs and impressive facilities to foster talent, New Zealanders can also easily cross the Tasman and make a name for themselves in Australia. Jim Richards set the benchmark, winning four Australian Touring Car Championship titles and seven Bathurst 1000 events, while also claiming the record for most race starts in the Australian endurance classic. This paved the way for a number of New Zealanders in Australian touring cars, such as Paul Radisich, Simon Wills and the late Jason Richards, with McLaughlin and van Gisbergen the recent dominators in Supercars.

The only other country that can compare to New Zealand’s motorsport impact relative to its size is Finland, also with a population of just over five million. Finland has won four Formula One World Championships and a remarkable 14 World Rally Championship titles, also owing its success to strong grassroots-level support. But when it comes to wins across the breadth of international motorsport, New Zealand still comes out on top.

With van Gisbergen, McLaughlin and Hartley at the peaks of their careers and youngsters Armstrong, Lawson and the Evanses entering theirs, New Zealand will only add to its incredible record of global motorsport achievements.

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HARD WORK D R |R A W ET E A R I |

CAPRICORN

Stars $20,000 IN CASH AND PRIZES UP FOR GRABS! ENTRIES CLOSE 30 APRIL 2022 NOMINATE YOUR APPRENTICE AT CAP.COOP/STARS

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For more information visit capricorn.coop/tc and click on ‘Capricorn Rising Stars 2022 Terms and Conditions’.

CAPRICORN RISING STARS NOMINATIONS OPEN SHOW YOUR APPRENTICES YOUR APPRECIATION

The Capricorn Rising Stars, Apprentice of the Year program is an opportunity for automotive workshops and repair centres to acknowledge apprentices for their ongoing effort and hard work. By recognising and rewarding apprentices for the value they bring to the workshop, you will keep them engaged and excited about to their promising careers ahead of them.

The award prioritises acknowledging apprentices with a passion for auto, a positive can-do attitude and a strong commitment to forging a long career as a repairer. The unique judging criteria means you can recognise your star apprentices as they continue to develop their technical proficiency.

competition is open to apprentices at any level across all types of workshops and disciplines; from panel and fabrication to auto electrical, general mechanical, heavy diesel and more.

All Members are encouraged to consider nominating their apprentices as a Capricorn Rising Star. As well as being a good opportunity to embed a positive team culture, recognising apprentices is also important to help the industry to attract the best talent and retain more of our future leaders.

Every apprentice that is nominated will benefit by receiving a certificate sent to their workshop.

In addition, more than $20,000 in cash and prizes is up for grabs to be shared amongst the Overall Winner,

Focusing on initiative, eagerness to learn and commitment to the auto repair industry, the

MORE THAN $20,000 IN CASH AND PRIZES TO BE WON! OVERALL WINNER

TOP 5 FINALISTS

•

$5,000 cash from Castrol

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$1,000 cash from Castrol

•

Capricorn Rising Stars trophy

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$1,000 Repco voucher

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Plus everything the Top 5 Finalists receive

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Tickets to two Repco Masterclasses

Capricorn thanks long-term program sponsors Castrol, Repco and Workshop Whisperer, who have donated these fantastic prizes.

For more information on the Capricorn Rising Stars competition, including competition Terms and Conditions, visit cap.coop/stars.

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022 1 7

Who’s who in collision?

This month Joe McFadries of the National Collision Repairer spoke with Darryl Kirkland, General Manager Parts and Accessories, Janrule Automotive Group.

NCR: By way of introduction, take us back to where it all began.

DK: My journey began in 1978 when I joined Shepherd Brothers, a Toyota Commercial Vehicle Dealer, in their parts department.

The initial plan was that I would take up an apprenticeship as a mechanic, but by the time the owners were ready to proceed, I had become entrenched in the parts department, so I stayed where I was, and I’ve never regretted a minute of it.

Fast-forward to 1989, by which time the Shepherd brothers had all retired and they sold the business to Canberra Toyota, which was – and still is - part of the Janrule Group.

I joined a great organisation and have been here ever since.

NCR: So, tell us about your role.

DK: I look after the parts and accessories for the group, based in our central warehouse in Fyshwick, supplying our network of 11 franchise dealerships throughout the ACT and a wide customer base across regional NSW. From Ulladulla to Eden on the south coast, into Goulburn in the southwest and as far as Dubbo, Bathurst and Orange in the central tablelands. It’s not unusual to have six to eight trucks delivering parts and accessories into these areas on a daily basis.

Our portfolio of brands includes: Toyota, Lexus, Ford, GMSV, Jeep-Dodge-Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Volkswagen and Volvo.

In addition, we also supply parts for some of the smaller car brands in the Territory.

I have a team of 44 staff in Canberra with responsibility for parts and accessories for the entire group. Several of my team have,

like me, been in the business for not just years, but decades. We really are a mix of youth and experience and together we never stop learning.

NCR: Tell us a bit about your range of products and services.

DK: The group not only sells this range of new cars, we also sell used cars, including a couple of standalone used car sites, and have a full range of servicing facilities, together with the parts and accessories.

In addition, at our Fyshwick warehouse we have a full prep area for our used cars which typically averages 300 cars per month.

Since 2013 we have also been the sole supplier of PPG refinish coatings in the ACT, which really enhances our value proposition.

The Toyota brand represents the biggest turnover in the group and is also the brand that has been part of the group the longest. The group also owns and operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car business in Canberra.

NCR: What differentiates Janrule from the other dealerships?

DK: For us we make a real connection with the local communities, which in a place like the ACT is very important. In particular, we sponsor a whole range of sporting organisations.

Our high-profile sponsorship is with the Canberra Raiders, and through the Lexus brand we are a major sponsor of Ronald McDonald House and host an annual fundraising ball where we have raised over $3 million in the past six years.

In addition, we sponsor Vinnies (St Vincent de Paul Society), and our CEO does the CEO Sleep Out every year, and Subaru Canberra sponsors the Cancer Council.

It’s this involvement in our community

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that keeps us connected to the customer, which helps to make us the dealer of choice.

NCR: What can you tell us about your association with Capricorn?

DK: It’s been almost 20 years since we joined Capricorn as a Preferred Supplier.

Initially, we saw the demand from our customers, which in turn led us to join the group to ensure we were giving our customers what they wanted. Of course, having our bills paid religiously on the 28th day of every month is a great benefit to the Janrule Group.

However, it’s more than that. Over the years we found that being part of Capricorn became a real driver of growth in our customer base, particularly across regional NSW, where customers are more inclined to join Capricorn and reap the rewards as Capricorn Members.

Capricorn often speaks about how they have a “win-win-win” philosophy, and these values are consistent with how we at Janrule do business, as we also believe in mutually beneficial relationships with our customers. We can’t speak highly enough about the benefits of being a Preferred Supplier of Capricorn.

NCR: So, in closing, looking ahead, what can we expect in the future from Janrule?

DK: Having been able to steer ourselves through the pandemic over the past two years, we are very much focused on a growth strategy, which we will implement in the foreseeable future.

In addition, I mentioned the mix of youth and experience, which allows us to ensure there is continuity in the business when the time comes and any of the “wise old heads” decide to call it a day. We are all very proud of our careers at Janrule and are committed to seeing it continue to succeed for many years to come.

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TM

Stronger together – overcoming the gender barriers in the automotive aftermarket

by Jeff Smit

The auto repair industry has traditionally been exclusively male dominated, but that is changing, perhaps not rapidly enough, but the change is positive.

Ask any workshop owner committed to gender inclusivity, if they regretted their decision, and you will get a resounding 'absolutely not.'

Where once it might have made big news for a woman to sign up for a trade like auto mechanic, these days, the sight of a woman driving a huge rig on an open cut coalmine site, or working as a chippie on a building project, barely generates a raised eyebrow.

Most traditionally male-dominated workplaces like auto workshops have become much more inclusive, and gender is no longer a tick box on a job interview form.

Those who have made their workshops more inclusive, report positive attitudes in customer relationships and work ethics. And it’s encouraging to see more women making their mark in aftermarket auto workshops.

In Australia, as in many other countries, the gender barrier in trades has been

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diminishing, and those who have engaged young women are excited to see the passion and dedication they are bringing to the industry. As one employer put it, 'we look for attitude first and foremost – gender is really incidental to the employment process.'

Gender diversification in technical careers within workshops is a growing trend – slow but growing. In America, a recent report revealed that about one in five persons entering the auto technician field in the last five years is female.

Not so many years ago, TaT interviewed several young women who had made names for themselves in the auto repair sector, one of them was the apprentice of the year in Queensland. Her employer stated that enthusiasm and a willingness to learn were the most important attributes of any employee, no matter their gender or age.

Another young woman, then aged just 21, was a gold medalist in the Australian Worldskills National Competition, making her the best young auto electrician in the country. Proving once again the dedication and technical proficiency of the next generation of auto electricians.

One large Queensland auto workshop works closely with high schools to encourage students to undertake work experience in the auto trades. He noted that more and more young women are volunteering for work experience whereas once such a job would not be on their radar.

It seems that the rapid technological advances in vehicle maintenance and repair have helped to overcome some of the perceived gender barriers, and once those completely disappear, the conversation reverts back to the essence of challenging diagnostic work.

A female apprentice recently interviewed commented, 'A good work ethic will get you further than any debate about the gender differences. It's a focus that doesn't need to be there. Surely it is about the industry having good technicians, working hard to keep vehicles safe and on the road.

'The auto industry now offers such a wide range of opportunities, anyone can go anywhere.'

For both men and women, there is a huge demand for technicians in the automotive sector. With 20.1 million registered motor vehicles recorded in January 2021 in Australia, and an expected 22 million by 2030, opportunities for careers in automotive servicing and repair must grow to meet the demand.

Training organisations like a local TAFE have told us they would like to see more women join the auto electrical field. And as one employer put it, 'Encouraging gender diversity means we have doubled our potential pool of apprentices.'

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022 2 1

BUSINESS BUILDING

The women in automotive you need to know From the earliest days of motorised transport, we have heard about the men who have grown and shaped the automotive industry.

automotive manufacturers, to inventing important technology still used today, and driving cars far and fast, women have been part of the automotive industry since day one.

But right alongside them, from the very beginning, have been pioneering women driving the industry forward. From leading global

Here are 10 women you need to know if you work in the automotive industry today.

BERTHA BENZ

Known for: First person to drive an automobile over a long distance.

We’ll spare you the cliché ‘behind every man,’ but without Bertha Benz, we may not even have the motor vehicles we know and love today. Bertha Benz was the business partner and wife of automobile inventor Carl Benz. After investing in Carl Benz’s iron construction company before their marriage in 1872, Bertha also helped to finance the development of the Motorwagen. After contributing to the design of the original machine, she was also the first person in history to drive an automobile over a long distance, covering 106 km in one day in 1888.

Margaret Wilcox

Known for: Inventing climate control It’s the first thing you turn on in the frosty cold of a winter morning, but did you know today’s climate control was invented by Margaret A. Wilcox in 1893? As a qualified mechanical engineer, Margaret worked throughout her twenties to heat railway cars utilising the heat generated by the engines to heat the cabins. In 1929, Henry Ford began using her system in his Model A cars, and the rest they say, is history.

Mary Anderson

Known for: Invented the windshield wiper Sometimes the smallest things can make a huge difference, the windshield wiper being a great example of this effect. During a visit to New York in 1902, Mary Anderson sat in a trolley car (known here as a tram) and observed as the driver struggled to see past the sleet on the windows. When Mary returned home, she worked with a designer to produce a hand-operated device to keep a windshield clear. Building on Mary’s invention, Charlotte Bridgewood created the first automatic wiper system in 1917, using rollers instead of blades.

Aloha Wanderwell

Known for: First woman to drive an automobile around the world When googling Aloha Wanderwell, you come across ads touting her as the ‘world’s most widely travelled girl.’ This claim may not be inaccurate, as at age 16 she began a drive around the world, starting in Nice, France, in 1922 and finishing her expedition in 1927. She is the first woman to circumnavigate the world by driving herself. Aloha spoke 11 languages and acted as translator and filmmaker for numerous expeditions she and her husband embarked upon.

Katharine Burr Blodgett Known for: Invented nonreflective glass

Katharine Burr Blodgett was the first woman to work as a scientist for General Electric Laboratory in Schenectady, NY. Whilst working with colleague Irving Langmuir, she developed the film used to create ‘invisible glass,’ making glass nonreflective. This film is now widely used on windscreens to reduce glare in motor vehicles. In 1943, she received a star in the seventh edition of American Men of Science, recognising her as one of the 1,000 most distinguished scientists in the United States.

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Jutta Kleinschmidt

Known for: First woman to win the Paris-Dakar Rally

The Dakar Rally is renowned for its difficulty and ability to push drivers and their cars to the limit.

Jutta Kleinschmidt is the first, and currently only, woman to win the Paris-Dakar rally, in 2001.

Originally starting out on a motorcycle in 1988, she switched to a car in 1994 and in 1997 became the first woman to win a stage of the Rally. In 1999 she placed on the podium before winning in 2001.

Mary Barra

Known for: The first woman to lead a global automobile manufacturer Mary Barra is the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors, becoming the first woman to lead a ‘Big Three’ automaker or global automobile manufacturer, in 2014. Barra has been working for General Motors since 1980, when she was 18 years old, working her way up through engineering positions and administrative positions to be named successor to the previous CEO in 2013. Under Mary’s leadership, General Motors has made the move into driverless and electric-powered vehicles.

"Sometimes the smallest things can make a huge difference, the windshield wiper being a great example of this effect."

Simona de Silvestro

Known for: First full-time female driver in the Supercars era

Simona de Silvestro is a Swiss-Italian racing driver who has raced in Formula E and IndyCar; however, you may know her better as the ‘Iron Maiden’ or ‘Swiss Miss.’ Simona has made our list of women you need to know as she is one of only 31 women to compete at Bathurst and is the first full-time female driver in the Supercars era, joining in 2017.

Elena Ford

Known for: First female Ford family member to hold an executive position at Ford Motor Company

It wouldn’t be a list of famous automotive names without a ‘Ford’ included. However, we aren’t talking about the first Ford. We are talking about his granddaughter, Elena Ford. Elena is the first female Ford family member to hold an executive position at the company as their Chief Customer Experience Officer. She is spearheading their customer experience movement, including the Ford Signature program.

Betty Klimenko

Known for: The first woman to own a Supercars racing team and win the Bathurst 1000 A fan favourite rev-head, Betty Klimenko is the first woman to own a Supercars racing team, Erebus Motorsport. Betty is the daughter of Westfield Group founder John Saunders and bought the Stone Brothers Racing team (renamed Erebus Motorsport) in 2012 after being introduced to motorsport by her husband. Overcoming numerous challenges, including a manufacturer change, in 2017 she became the first female team owner to win the Bathurst 1000.

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WE CAN ALL DO IT

ENCOURAGING WOMEN TO JOIN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY Attracting people, especially young people to the industry has never been a hotter topic. Capricorn CEO David Fraser recently wrote, “Unless we tackle the problem now, the situation is only going to get worse,” after we discussed it as part of the State of the Nation 2021 report.

Attracting and retaining women in the automotive industry have never been more important to help close the skills gap. But how can we ensure our workplaces are pleasant, welcoming places for all team members, including women?

What challenges do women face entering the industry and how can we help them overcome them?

Louise Azzopardi is a Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanic and life coach who has spent the last few years encouraging and supporting young women to join the automotive industry.

From completing her trade qualification to training others to becoming a WorldSkills judge and Australian Apprenticeship Ambassador, Louise has grabbed the opportunities offered to her by her career with both hands, and she is passionate about helping other young women do the same.

Louise always knew she wanted to do something technical, whether that be in fashion design or in an automotive trade.

Having always ridden dirt bikes with her family, she knew she loved the maintenance of the bikes, always wanting to do something with her hands.

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After completing work experience at some local motorbike workshops, Louise tried working in a heavy mechanical workshop and soon found she couldn’t imagine herself doing anything else. Fascinated by the intricacies of the workings on the vehicles, Louise began to help train her fellow junior apprentices and realised her passion for training.

"Louise always knew she wanted to do something technical" In her early career, Louise was used to being the only woman in her classes, or in the workshop. However, being the only woman contributed to her denying some of her own health struggles as she strove to be considered ‘one of the guys.’

As well as dodging some of the odd sexist comments her colleagues and peers had made, it led to a period of selfdoubt. Without a lot of life experience, Louise found it difficult to properly communicate what she was experiencing.

As part of her work as a mechanic and a trainer, Louise has seen firsthand how important supporting and nurturing women from the very beginning of their careers can be. As she notes, the automotive industry can be unkind to both young

men and women. And instead of focusing on the numbers of women joining as apprentices and becoming qualified, we need to focus on and celebrate our success in nurturing young people through a vulnerable part of their lives and their careers.

In Louise’s view, it’s really simple. Women should be involved in the automotive industry, “because they make up half the population.” But beyond that, it’s important to have a diverse workforce including women as it will increase creative thinking within the workshop. A broader spectrum of experiences will provide a range of problem-solving skills and unique thought patterns, all of which are important for technical trades.

Her advice for young women thinking about joining – just go for it. Whilst it can be intimidating to begin, she says, “Once you earn your stripes, they can be whatever colour you want them to be.”

For the tradeswomen looking for support in their career, she advises to build a strong support network around you. Louise runs her own support group on Facebook called ‘Tradeswomen Owning Their Power’ where tradeswomen can find a safe space for personal and professional development. But she also recommends thinking outside the box and finding mentors and coaches that make you feel safe and can help empower and develop your resilience.

And don’t forget the work best friend! Having someone to confide in, even if they aren’t on the workshop floor, provides women with the emotional support needed in the workplace.

Her advice for businesses when they are approached by young women – don’t be shocked! Women want to join the industry; however, often they have to overcome waves of self-doubt and being left feeling like they aren’t welcome. Representation and attitude matter, so putting in the extra effort to welcome young women into your workplace will pay off in the long run.

and make the effort to maintain an open dialogue with the team.

Sometimes small things can be a struggle for women, such as explaining why they don’t feel well, or deciding what to wear to social events so they aren’t sexualised or perceived differently.

These challenges can be solved by fostering a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental workplace culture.

Sometimes the smallest things like asking team members what they need to feel safe or taking the time to eat lunch together can help create authentic safe spaces for all staff to feel like they belong.

Finally, if you are noticing a problem, really take the time to find the root cause of it. From a bad egg to a culture issue or even an

"Women should be involved in the automotive industry, “because they make up half the population.” " external partner that could be causing roadblocks, take the time to find the problem so you can solve it properly.

For women looking for further support to build their confidence, Louise runs a mentoring and coaching program focused on developing a range of life skills needed throughout a career. You can find out more at louiseazzopardi.com

Also be prepared to have some difficult conversations with staff

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Why should I hire an apprentice?

Only 39% of Capricorn Members currently employ an apprentice.

When factoring this for our membership base of 24,000 Members, that’s only just over 9,000 apprentices. With service and workshops projected to grow 9.3% between 2020 and 2025 in Australia alone, there are a lot of trades positions to fill.

The skills gap is real, and since the international borders have been closed for most of 2020 and 2021, finding skilled tradespeople has become a larger challenge. More than 51% of Members listed a shortage of skilled people as a top five concern for the industry in the 2021 State of the Nation report. That’s up seven percentage points on the 2020 result, leapfrogging changing technology as the industry’s biggest challenge (on 44% in 2021, compared to 49% in 2020).

The biggest opportunity to start closing the gap is to encourage a new generation of talent, as this is the pipeline of future technicians, business owners, partners, and industry leaders. As former Capricorn Director Russell Becker noted in the 2021 State of the Nation report, ‘every Member running a business needs to accept they have a level of responsibility to help find and train the talent of the future, and to find a way to do so that is sustainable and profitable for their business.’

‘We have to live up to the answer we give to surveys like State of the Nation and actually “train the next generation” — because

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ultimately it will benefit us all. That’s not altruism; that’s an investment.’

So, what are some of the benefits of hiring an apprentice? Why should you hire an apprentice in 2022?

It’s an investment for the industry Employing an apprentice not only benefits your workshop in the immediate term, but it also helps other workshops in the future. The greater the number of qualified tradespeople in the talent pool, the easier it will be to find the right people for your workshop, and the easier it will be for your peers as well.

A healthy talent pool also helps when you begin to consider how you would like to exit the industry or succession planning. The apprentices of today will be the industry leaders of tomorrow.

A larger pool of prospective buyers is obviously beneficial for business owners looking to sell or pass on their business.

Apprentices tend to be loyal Apprentices spend a number of years in your workshop and get to know you, your goals and business values. They understand the commitment workshop owners put into their training and development and will often develop a sense of loyalty to their host workshops.

Whilst they may move on after their qualification is complete, apprentices often think fondly of their first workshop. Russell reminisced in the State of the Nation report how he still fondly remembers his time at Prospect County Council (now Sydney Electricity).

A great way to foster apprentice loyalty and demonstrate their value to your business is to recognise them for the great work they do. Capricorn Rising Stars is all about recognising effort and rewarding hard work to help workshops retain their future leaders.

Unlike other apprentice competitions that focus purely on the technical proficiency of nominees, Capricorn Rising Stars prioritises rewarding apprentices who demonstrate a passion for all things automotive and have a positive can-do attitude and a strong commitment to forging a long career as a repairer.

Check out pages 16 & 17 for more information on Capricorn Rising Stars.

It can help manage human resourcing

Apprentices are also very flexible as their training requires experience in numerous areas of the workshop. So not only are you getting assistance in different areas of the business, but your apprentice is developing a range of life and technical skills.

Finally, apprentices can help give existing team members leadership and management experience as they assist with the apprentice’s training and development. Whilst training an apprentice is a rewarding experience, it can also foster a sense of value and satisfaction with existing team members.

Apprentices are great for workshop culture We all remember what it was like when we started our careers.

Everything was new, fresh, and exciting. Apprentices bring a fantastic energy to the workplace and can help reinvigorate the team and remind us all why we are so passionate about our trade.

Having an apprentice can also help foster a culture of mutual learning. The trade schools of today are teaching ever new and exciting technologies, which apprentices feed back to their host workshops. Making new discoveries and learning together is a great way to foster strong workplace relationships.

Don’t forget the financial incentives The potential availability of government financial incentives* is another important factor to consider when deciding whether to hire an apprentice. Linking back to our point in human resourcing, incentives can help workshops grow at a manageable rate.

Apprentice incentives make hiring an apprentice an attainable reality and a sustainable way to increase your workshop capacity.

We’ve got an article linked in the QR code, highlighting all the available incentives across Australia and New Zealand for easy access to the incentive information you need.

Growth can be difficult to manage and getting your staff numbers right can be tough. Apprentices are a great middle step to grow at a manageable level if you aren’t sure whether you need a new tradesperson yet.

*Please note that all content relating to financial incentives is provided as general information only. Nothing in this article or the linked material should be construed as advice regarding a Member’s eligibility to obtain any government payments or financial incentives. Members should seek independent advice if they have any questions regarding the availability of any particular government incentive or payment.

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022 2 7

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to share this experience with Members as they commit to delivering genuine first-class customer service along with an outstanding level of professionalism that will ensure the delivery of the ultimate BMW experience. They conveniently offer a metropolitan delivery service, with major freight carriers picking up daily to deliver throughout the state.

Choice Energy is Australia’s leading energy solutions business dedicated to providing high-quality commercial solar solutions to automotive businesses looking to take control of their energy costs and remain competitive. Choice Energy offers Members the power to reduce their energy costs through commercial solar solutions.

Choice Energy provides quality commercial solar with a 5-year guarantee on power generation. As at 1st February 2022, Members meeting applicable lending criteria can leverage Capricorn Finance* or Capricorn Rewards points+ to help fund their Choice Energy business solar system. Systems are designed to ensure the business gets only what they need to help offset costs.

GLENELG BMW

SA/NT glenelgbmw.com.au

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Glenelg BMW is now open. They are part of the Jowett Motor Group (JMG), a family-owned dealership group with a strong relationship and success with the BMW brand, located conveniently on Brighton Road in Glenelg South.

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NATIONAL autodata-training.com/au/

Autodata Training is the world’s leading online training resource for automotive technicians. Founded in Australia, Autodata Training now helps over 8000 technicians in 68 countries with their professional development of skills, understanding and knowledge.

Unlike traditional face-to-face training, Autodata Training can be accessed online anytime, anywhere, with no costly days out of the workshop. Autodata Training features courses on the latest automotive technologies such as Hybrid/ EVs and ADAS, as well as fundamental automotive principles. Comprehensive and expertly delivered training is vital to keep up to date with the rapidly changing automotive world. For a low monthly subscription, Autodata Training is helping workshops train for the future.

Suspension Supplies Australia began over 25 years ago as a spring repair and manufacturing workshop. Now owned and operated by McNaughtan’s, the business services all local fleet and trade outlets and retail clients. They distribute throughout Australia, so you can be assured to get expert advice and a quality product in a timely manner.

Suspension Supplies Australia specialises in quality aftermarket suspension and suspension upgrades for commercial trucks, 2WD and 4WD vehicles, ute canopies, alloy and steel tray bodies, and off-road accessories including auxiliary battery trays and electrical. Suspension Supplies Australia is a small, serviceoriented business that has years of knowledge in the suspension industry.

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Bordertown workshop big in size & heart Since 1983, Tatiara Truck and Trailers have been providing heavy truck servicing to the community of Bordertown, South Australia. It was good timing, as the trend for haulage was moving away from rail and towards road transport — and Bordertown is located along the main routes between Melbourne and Adelaide. generated from the local meatworks and grain exports in the area,” she said.

In the mid ’90s, Tatiara began supporting the Certificate I training program, known as Vocational Education and Training, in conjunction with local schools and the MTA. Still going strong today, the program is well attended with student participation increasing annually and many students securing apprenticeships through the program.

A purpose-built training facility was added to Tatiara’s ever-growing and evolving workshop in 2006.

Demand was high, and the business quickly grew. Before long Tatiara was offering a 24/7 service.

Perhaps this success is no surprise? Tatiara’s Jaime Virgin said Bordertown is home to a significant transport centre, with fleets of up to 25 trucks amongst the eight local trucking companies — with plenty of other small businesses and innumerable operators within the agricultural sector.

Tatiara’s is a family business and Jaime and her brother Dylan joined their parents, Tatiara founders John and Ann, as shareholders in the business in 2011. One of the company’s core values is “family is everything”.

“We pride ourselves on being family orientated and respect the need for flexibility and cohesion between work and home life,” Jaime said.

Jaime said Tatiara had worked hard to build a reputation as a state-of-the-art workshop with a “can-do attitude”, that offers speedy and efficient service.

“The region also boasts significant freight activity that is

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