Auto workers gear up for new skills

AUTO industry workers, new and old, have received an education boost.
Chisholm and ACM Parts in Dandenong announced a new partnership on Wednesday 27 April.
It will link in with Chisholm’s South East Automotive Industry Transition Package, established to up-skill and re-skill retrenched automotive supply chain workers.
Chisholm’s engineering, technology and trades executive director Andrew Kong said the partnership was unique.
“It not only contributes to quality education and training outcomes for students and apprentices entering the job market for the first time, but will also support retrenched workers from areas of the automotive and component manufacturing sector who are seeking to transition into new employment opportunities,” he said.
Through the partnership, ACM will also donate a vehicle and parts for Chisholm automotive students to restore as part of their training curriculum.
The finished product will be auctioned to fund scholarships for disadvantaged youths eyeing an auto industry through the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation.
ACM Parts CEO Mike Kirkman said the partnership was about supporting the next generation of automotive experts.
“ACM Parts is committed to working closely with Chisholm in identifying people for possible employment as part of the regional automotive workforce transition program, to see those retrenched workers retrained and returned to work,” he said.
“We value the skills of workers who have spent part of their career building cars and we want to make a place for them in our business.”