The worker shortage is one of the biggest problems in the automotive service and repair industry but trying to solve it starts with simple actions

One of the most important seminars at Autocare 2025 tackled the problem of skills shortages in the automotive service and repair industry.
Titled ‘Fuelling the Future: The Next Generation of Aftermarket Talent,’ the seminar was made up of a panel consisting of successful women from the Aftermarket, including Barbara Harrison (Amotiv), Aileen Hayes (GPC), Fiona Murphy (mycar), and Merryl Dooley (Bapcor).
It is no coincidence that the panel was made up of influential females, as attracting more women into the industry is one very obvious way to try to fill the gap in the workforce.
Aftermarket Magazine caught up with Barbara soon after the seminar to discuss what more can be done.
“If we don’t start thinking about where we are going to pull talent from, we are really going to be in a bad position,” Barbara said.
“This industry has such a lot to offer young people coming through. There are perceptions that exist that are just completely incorrect.”
Barbara, as part of the AAAA Women team, has been investigating ways to promote the industry to females.
“It is really interesting because when you do get a chance to talk to them, they are really interested in what it is that we offer,” Barbara said.
Barbara believes that the industry needs to do a better job of working with careers advisors at schools to encourage young women to look at the automotive industry as a serious option.
“Once they have their eyes opened to it and they realise just what we offer in terms of tech, customer interaction, and the product that they get to work on, and the trade shows that they get to be a part of, they get really interested,” she said.
Barbara pointed out that it is not just about attracting women to the industry, but finding a way to get all young people excited about working in automotive.
“Every workshop has the opportunity to reach out to a school and say, ‘look, would you like me to come in and talk about what it is that we do and showcase the technology that exists within our industry?’ And teachers are going to leap at that,” Barbara said.

For more highlights from Autocare, visit www.autocare.org.au