Supporting young people into automotive apprenticeships by providing them with practical skills and knowledge is the focus of an Auckland training establishment, and a boost from the Inspiring Futures Foundation is driving their mission even further.
The Auto Super Shoppe Academy was granted $100,000 from the Inspiring Futures Foundation to assist their application to become a private training establishment (PTE) for their 12-week automotive apprentice pre-trade course.
Along with PTE status, the Academy is now able to work towards developing NZQA recognised qualifications thanks to the financial support from IFF.
The Academy, based in Auckland, was established seven years ago when founders David Storey and Geoff Harper identified the need for automotive apprentices with practical skills.
Harper and Storey’s passion for encouraging young people into the automotive industry prompted their own substantial time and financial investment, as they developed the Academy alongside their own businesses.
Academy Manager Helen Ereckson says the industry was giving a strong message that amid a nationwide shortage of mechanics, there was a gap for apprentices with hands-on skills and experience in the workshop.
“A lot of those in the industry were not willing to take on apprentices because they didn’t have the basic practical knowledge required, with some not even knowing how to do an oil change.
“So, we were really focused on offering a solution and at an annual industry conference we asked the question - if we could offer practical training and skills, as well as work readiness, would you take on more apprentices - and every hand in the room went up.”
The Academy took on five students during its first course intake in 2017, and now has grown to take 20 students at each intake, with two tutors and a purpose-built workshop and classroom.
“Receiving this funding has confirmed to us that what we are doing is valuable for the industry.
“With the grant from the Foundation, we’ve been able to progress our application to become recognised as a private training establishment (PTE), which we achieved in May this year,” Ereckson says.
“It’s fantastic, it’s been really well-received. Not just by the industry and learners but also by schools that are more willing and able to engage with us now, and parents who are looking for credible qualifications for their children that are leaving school.
“It has been a substantial process with a number of challenges but without the grant from IFF, we wouldn’t have been able to take this next step.”
Ereckson says they are now on the path towards gaining NZQA credentials.
“This will not only give our students a recognised qualification but it means they will have access to student loans and allowances. That will really help many of our learners, who may not be able to afford to take 12 weeks off work to complete the course.”
The Academy is expecting to see significant growth in student numbers when they achieve NZQA recognition, making the training more accessible to a wider variety of students.
“It’s been really rewarding and we’re now looking at different ways to further reach out to people from diverse backgrounds and to women, who are not typically coming through the Academy. We have a vision for the future and want to look at who else we can support.”
The next round of Inspiring Futures grants will reopen on 1 September, and are open to businesses involved in the automotive industry, transport & logistics, drilling, gas, mining and quarrying, among others. More information about the funding is available at www.inspiringfutures.nz
