Where Do I Start

If you are looking to get into the automotive industry but don't know where to start then you have come to the right place. Automotive Skills Queensland has collected a range of information and resources to help you get started on a career in the automotive industry in Queensland or further advance your career in the automotive industry.

For those that are thinking about a career in the automotive industry, be sure to visit our Career Information section. It has information on a range of different professions that are considered part of the automotive industry, from getting in and working on cars, boats, trucks or whatever vehicle it might be, through to management, sales and marketing.

Vocational Education Training in Schools

Vocational education and training (VET) is learning which is directly related to work. Courses are developed by industry to give people the knowledge and skills they need to work in a particular job.

You can undertake vocational education and training at school:

as part of your school studies;
by enrolling in a course at a TAFE or other training organization;
as a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship.

The type of vocational education and training you do will depend on what your school offers, so talk to your Guidance Officer, Career Counsellor, Vocational Education Coordinator or Head of Senior Schooling about the range of programs available.

Industry Tours for Schools

The CVIAQ Schools to Industry Tour is an initiative designed to provide secondary school students from Years 10-12 with a means to explore all the potential career options within the commercial vehicle industry and to enable them to make informed decisions about their future careers.

Since 2004 CVIAQ has partnered with secondary schools in the Brisbane South West, Logan, Beenleigh and Toowoomba districts to identify those students with a genuine interest in the automotive industry. CVIAQ conducts a safety induction with participating students and follows up with schools afterwards about student work experience opportunities, school based traineeships and potential employment for school leavers.

CVIAQ organise through its membership, two companies to open their doors and play tour host to students for a day. Generally a truck dealership and a trailer manufacturer are chosen to provide students with a well rounded view of career opportunities including service and repair, sales, administration, spare parts and manufacturing.

Ideally two busloads of students participate. On the morning of the Tour, one busload will visit one of the host companies whilst the other will be touring the second host company. Lunch is normally provided by one of the host companies and then in the afternoon the students swap over and tour the company that they didn’t see in the morning session. The day concludes at around 2.00pm giving time for students to return to their schools to catch their normal mode of transport home.

CVIAQ provide students with an information kit which includes further information about the host companies, various career opportunities on offer as well as information on the training packages available within the industry.

Finding Work Experience

This page is under construction.

Please check back soon for tips and advice on how to find work experience in the automotive industry in Queensland.

Work experience shows initiative and a genuine interest in a career which is something that most employers will regard very highly.

Finding an Apprenticeship

Step 1: Resume

Make sure your resume is up-to-date and professionally presented.
Compile a covering letter to go with your resume. This could be either a letter in response to an advertised vacancy, or a canvassing (enquiry) letter.
Assemble your own resume, references and supporting documentation in a presentation folder.

Finding a Graduate Position

This page is currently under construction.

Please check back again soon for tips and advice on finding yourself a graduate position within the automotive industry in Queensland.

Have Your Skills Recognised! RPL

Looking to get

A trade qualification?
Recognition of a skill set?
Or just recognised skills special to your needs?

You could be well on the way to a qualification and not realise it!

What Employers are Looking For

Employers commonly look for a few main things. These are probably the most important attributes that you can show to help you get a job.

Employability: Proof that you are employable is a big asset. Your employer needs to know that you will turn up everyday, on time and ready to work. Your past work record including part-time, voluntary work or work experience can help there.

Ability to learn: As a trainee or apprentice there is a lot you will learn. You will be taught both formally (maybe off the job) and on the job. You must be able to pay attention, listen and remember what you have been told. This is improtant in any job.

Application Techniques

This page is currently under construction.

Please check back again soon for more information regarding application techniques for the automotive industry.

Interview Techniques

This page is currently under construction.

Please check back again soon for more information regarding interview techniques for the automotive industry.