Motoring enthusiasm as a market is far larger than most think, with a recent study conducted by the Australian Motor Heritage Foundation revealing a staggering $9.92 billion contribution to the Australian economy.
In the process it employs tens of thousands of Aussies, while generating significant revenues for business and the government. When we speak to many owners of these businesses though, there seems to be a common theme, challenges with skilled labour.
The reasons are complex, but put simply, there is a shortage of new workers entering trades. At the same time, older tradesmen are shutting up shop with no one to hand or sell their business to.
David Dyer has been in this industry for more than 10 years and is the founder of Modern Classic Cars and Frontline Cars Australia. For a far longer time, he’s been a motoring enthusiast. His formative years were spent tinkering with English marques with family.
After that he completed an engineering degree with a specialty in automotive and electrics. At the helm of a business with a focus on high-end restorations and resto-mod projects, the resourcing issue isn’t lost on him.
“Every year we see more and more artisan level tradesmen shut their shops, with no one to continue their legacy,” he said.
“Apprentices that do enter the trade, often land in a dealership, which often leads to discontent as the work is either mundane or makes it hard to obtain the depth of knowledge and experience required to keep them engaged.”
In speaking to friends undertaking large restoration jobs, this writer uncovered the fact wait times to get quality work done echo these challenges. When investing half a million dollars into your dream build, time shouldn’t be an issue, but it can be.
Waiting 18 months for bodywork surely shouldn’t be the norm; in many cases though, it is. David cites the challenges of passing on a trade via apprentices, especially within small businesses.
“When you’re a one-man band because you want to manage the quality level to a standard, trying to train an apprentice the right way is inefficient and costly. While everyone I know is aware of the issue and wants to make a change, it’s been difficult to get anything off the ground.”
To this end David is spearheading activity through the formation of the Modern Classic Cars Foundation, a not-for-profit aimed at providing a training ground for budding young tradesmen.
“From 1 February, Modern Classic Cars will change in structure to become a not-for-profit entity. We will continue to build cars, but in essence the business will become a facility where we can take apprentices and give them the time and training needed to become artisans in their trades.”
The idea is to provide close quarters, high quality training between a trades person and apprentice across fields like mechanical, paint and panel, trim, auto electrical and engine building.
“The goal is not to keep the apprentices; we want them trained up and moving around the industry or moving to take on an existing business or even grow their own.”
In combatting the issue of small businesses closing when retirement looms, the Foundation will also work with owners and potential buyers, providing things like mentoring and even financial support and advice to buy into and keep boutique businesses trading.
“Living in places like Sydney is hard for a first year, let alone a third year apprentice, so the Foundation will support the costs associated with apprenticeship; everything from tools to TAFE fees, and even transport to classes,” David said.
“The motoring scene is Australia is vibrant, but we need to work to protect it for future generations. We just want to do our bit to help.”
To find out more, including about the opportunity to invest in or seek out apprenticeships, visit the Modern Classic Cars Foundation website.
