As the peak body representing the interests of employers in the retail, repair, and service sectors of Queensland’s automotive industry, it is important that MTA Queensland has clear and accessible lines of communication with its members.

It does so through its weekly newsletter, social media platforms, this publication, websites, direct contact via phone and email, as well as in-person catch-ups with area managers and the in-the-workshop delivery of apprenticeship training delivered by the MTA Institute trainers.

It has also been holding meetings in regional centres across the state at which the MTA Queensland leadership team of Rod Camm, CEO of MTA Queensland Group, and Kellie Dewar, Deputy Group CEO and General Manager of Member Services, have been engaging with members to hear from them directly.

These regional visits are an important avenue for MTA Queensland’s executive team. Not only do they enable key face-to-face connection with members and allow for a greater understanding of industry concerns at a local level, but they also give members the chance to socialise with other automotive business owners in their area, and gives the Association the opportunity to communicate in a more direct way the issues it is tackling and the ideas it is promoting, and deliver presentations, often from experts in their respective fields, on subjects such as new technologies or government regulations.

“Regional meetings are not only a way to connect with our members on broad industry issues but, more importantly, on local issues and what is affecting their business,” said Ms Dewar.

“Regional meetings are also a great networking opportunity for members in the area, a great opportunity for members to tell us what they need and what would really be helpful for their business, and an opportunity to learn more ways to engage with us and get the most from their membership. These meetings are also a barometer on how we as an Association are doing.”

In August, more than 30 attendees, representing more than 20 member businesses from the southeast border region, were at the meeting held at the Oaks Hotel on the Gold Coast.

At that meeting, representatives of the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) delivered a presentation on updated regulations and standards – including issues relating to the use of dealer plates, changes to the vehicle standards and safety regulations, the written-off vehicle scheme, changes to modification codes and documentation – and discussed various topics including the road vehicle standards act, changes to compliance plates, and electric vehicle (EV) labels.

An example of what can result from these fruitful events followed a discussion on EV and hybrid vehicle training. MTA Queensland offers such training, including hybrid and EV inspection and servicing skill set courses that are delivered at the MTA Institute training facility in Brisbane. A member enquired whether that training could instead be delivered to their 16 staff on-site at their own workshop. As a consequence of this discussion, MTA Queensland is now committed to developing EV training that can be delivered regionally, and this will be done as a priority.

“We had a very engaged group of members,” said Ms Dewar of the Gold Coast meeting. “The group of attendees was quite broad in industry representation, so we certainly had a wide range of topics discussed from participants in addition to our presenters. The meeting gave us detailed information on concerns and some proposed solutions and suggestions for our representations on behalf of the industry.”

The regional meetings will continue to be an important part of MTA Queensland’s effort to engage with its members from all corners of the state, and more will be arranged and their location and date communicated to members in due course.

“We intend to cover as many regions as we can, with the Fraser Coast next on our schedule,” said Ms Dewar. “There will be various staff members and guest presenters in attendance, and it would be great to hear some suggestions from members regarding topics they would like us, or speakers we could engage, to talk about that are relevant to them.”

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (September 2022) 

12 September 2022