The Occupational Mobility and Skills Transferability of Australian Auto Industry Employees

This is the final report from a study which examined the impact of company closures in the auto industry on workers and the possibilities for after-retrenchment employment. The Australian auto industry and its workforce are in the midst of significant transition. In 2013, Australia's three car manufacturers (Holden, Ford and Toyota) announced plans to cease manufacturing operations in Australia. All major auto industry manufacturing is currently expected to end by 2017 with some 27,500 direct jobs and up to 100,000 indirect jobs likely to be impacted by the closures (Australian Government, 2014; Worrall and Spoehr, 2014). An important issue that concerns all stakeholders - including employers, unions, government and workers - regards the future of employment. Car manufacturers and the Australian, Victorian and South Australian Governments have been working through a range of initiatives to support and assist auto industry workers in career advice and counselling. Some of the areas of focus include: skills assessment and recognition of prior learning (RPL), upskilling and retraining support and identification of new employment opportunities. The principal aim of company and government-led initiatives is to support the transition of workers from their current roles to other meaningful employment.