ISSUE 62 OCTOBER 2023
THE VOICE OF THE NEW ZEALAND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
DRIVEN BY PASSION FOR 100 YEARS
Some relief ahead for skills shortage CHANGES TO IMMIGRATION POLICY MEAN EASIER ACCESS TO OVERSEAS TALENT IN THE COLLISION REPAIRERS AND AUTOMOTIVE REFINISHERS CATEGORIES, BUT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE, ACCORDING TO THE MTA
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he addition of two automotive roles to the immigration Green List is great news, but there’s more work to be done to solve the skills shortage facing many businesses in the sector. That’s the call from the Motor Trade Association (MTA) in response to the announcement that collision repairers and automotive refinishers have been added to the Green List. MTA chief executive Lee Marshall says MTA, in close collaboration with the Collision Repair Association (CRA), had advocated strongly to the Government to include the roles. “We know the skilled labour shortage is the number one issue facing many of our members,” Lee says.
“It’s causing financial and emotional stress for many business owners, who face longer hours, delaying their retirement, or even closure in some cases. “These roles are also crucial for keeping Kiwis safe on the roads, and ensuring repairs are carried out quickly and professionally, so we thank the Government for listening to us.” According to the CRA’s latest data, the industry needs around 1000 collision repairers and refinishers. Vehicle repairs can take between six and 12 weeks as a result. And most collision repairers are family-owned businesses that are already under considerable
financial pressure. In an industry where most of the revenue comes from a small number of insurance companies, businesses face pressures on both sides of the equation. In its election year call to the next Government, Driving New Zealand Forward, MTA also called for the processing of overseas applications to be sped up and simplified — members say it can currently take months for an application to be processed. And Lee says in any case, the Green List additions are only a short-term solution. “The Green List is a welcome short-term fix. But employers want to hire local talent and give upand-coming young Kiwis a step into the industry.
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