The Motor Traders’ Association (MTA) of NSW and icare have renewed a two-year industry partnership.  

It will deliver expert support and training to assist the motor vehicle industry in work health and safety, return to work, and transitioning toward electric vehicles (EVs). 

MTA subsidiary Motor Trades Care (MTC) will continue work to improve motor industry safety under guidance from icare, including helping prepare for EVs. 

“Workers and employers in the rapidly changing automotive industry are tackling challenges that can be confusing for small organisations to handle alone. Our continuing partnership … will help industry participants receive impactful safety training and post-injury support,” icare CEO Richard Harding said. 

“This will help local technicians, auto-electricians, or panel beaters who are actively managing their small businesses as they repair cars and serve customers.”  

MTC GM Trevor Ballantyne says the automotive industry “has a fair way to go” when it comes to workplace safety and capability and the partnership is designed to support and educate automotive businesses to minimise workplace injury risks, identify the best treatment plan and get staff back to work in a reasonable timeframe. 

MTA NSW represents 28 different motor trades and is concerned about workplace safety under a shift towards EVs, saying a shortage in required upskilling programs to safely work with high-voltage EV batteries may mean the industry is unprepared for targeted rapid growth. 

CEO Stavros Yallouridis says the renewed icare partnership is future-focused and positions the motor industry for technological shifts.