Motor Trade Association of SA in expansion mode with VTECH takeover

THE Motor Trade Association of SA will train more apprentices and offer more courses as part of a takeover of another registered training organisation.

THE Motor Trade Association of SA will train more apprentices and offer more courses as part of a takeover of another registered training organisation.

MTA SA has bought VTECH Automotive Training under its wing, which will increase the number of apprentices in training to over 800.

The deal strengthens MTA’s position as the largest automotive RTO in the state with four new sites in Davoren Park, Bordertown, Cleve and Strathalbyn.

All training services offered by VTECH will transition to the MTA’s Automotive Training and Employment services, including courses in agricultural mechanical technology, mobile plant technology, automotive sales and heavy commercial trailer technology.

“As the automotive industry’s peak body and largest dedicated automotive training and employment services provider, we know it is vital we increase the number of qualified technicians and minimise disruptions to businesses and apprentices,” MTA SA chief executive Paul Unerkov said.

“The courses and expansion greatly increase the capacity of MTA Automotive Training and Employment services to provide quality training and employment services across metropolitan and regional SA,” he said.

Warren Meissner, owner of VTECH Automotive Training and MTA SA chief executive Paul Unerkov at the Royal Park Training Centre, with heavy vehicle trainer David Askew, and apprentices, (LtoR) Jared Child, Jarod Murton, and Josh Martin. The two training organisations are to merge businesses. (AAP Image/Dean Martin)

The RTO currently directly employs over 500 apprentices.

Mr Unerkov said the seamless transition of VTECH staff and apprentices across to MTA Automotive Training and Employment services and supporting them to achieve great training outcomes is essential.

VTECH chief executive Warren Meissner said the opportunity to plan for a smooth business succession with had obvious benefits.

“With a chronic and severe automotive skills shortage throughout SA, the opportunity to secure the long term future of regional automotive training by joining VTECH with the Motor Trade Association offers exciting prospects for employers and young people in the automotive trades,” he said.