Auto Glass Association Newsletter December 2021

NEWSLETTER

NSW Licensing for Auto Glaziers  

In NSW the amendments to the Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation 2014 have commenced . The amendment introduces the new specialised repair class of Auto Glazing and Electrical Accessory Fitting.

This means that you can now apply for your motor vehicle tradesperson certificate for those tradespersons that have successfully completed one of the prescribed courses as outline on the NSW Fair Trading website. NSW Fair Trade have requested applicants for the new tradesperson certificates to apply online to ensure the most efficient processing of the application.

You now have until the 1 March 2022 to obtain your trades person certificate.

Read More...

As a repairer it is your responsibility to ensure that any repair work is performed by a repairer that holds a current motor vehicle repairers licence and trade certificate.

It is also the licensed repairer’s responsibility to ensure that repair work done by their business is carried out by the holder of a Motor Vehicle Trade Certificate for the class of work they are performing.

It is easy to check a licence – visit the Service NSW Public Register page for motor related licences and follow the prompts. 

KEEPING OUR INDUSTRY SAFE! for information on how to report an unlicensed repairer visit  Auto Torque NSW Fair Trading Issue November 2021.

QUICK TIP! 

To avoid your application for a trades person certificate being rejected When uploading your evidence in addition to your training certificate include your  "Transcript of Academic Record" . 

^{Auto Aftermarket Expo and Collision Repair Expo 7 - 9 April 2022.}

In April 2022 the AGA will be representing the Auto Glass Industry at the Auto Aftermarket Expo. Our focus will be on creating interest in bringing new talent to our industry to fill identified skill gaps, job vacancies and training opportunities for experienced members of our industry.

We encourage all present and future Auto Glaziers to visit us at the Expo, to share with us and find out more about the AGA and how we can help you!

More information on the AGA's representation will be available closer to the event.

AUSTRALIAN AUTO AFTERMARKET EXPO 

THE WORKSHOP OF THE FUTURE

IS HERE....

The Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, co-located with the Collision Repair Expo is the nation’s only comprehensive exhibition for Australia’s $25B aftermarket industry. The show will bring together the industry’s best and brightest, and showcase over 250 of the country’s leading brands,

Hosted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), the Expo is run by the industry, for the industry and will take place 7 – 9 April 2022, at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

With the theme ’The Workshop of the Future is Here’, and debuting a range of fantastic new initiatives and features, the Expo is an unmissable event. The Expo showcases the latest vehicle repair and servicing equipment, parts, tools and accessories, new technology and trends, an Awards evening plus a comprehensive training and education program and much more…

AGA Update

Due to COVID-19,  the decision was made to hold this years Annual General Meeting via a Zoom, the virtual platform provided an opportunity for more of our members to attend and it was great to see so many taking an interest. 

Rick Janssen, President of AGA, said:

The AGA has continued to focus on the areas identified by the AGA Executive Committee in the strategic plan, the three focus areas remain  membership, education and compliance

MEMBERSHIP

We have continued to grow our membership with new Full and associate members.

We have particularly increased with members from New South Wales driven by the upcoming amendments in the Motor Dealers & Repairers Act and in New Zealand where the autoglazing industry can see the benefits offered by the AGA in their country.

EDUCATION

Over the past year we have been working closely with the NSW Department of Fair Trading regarding the amendments to the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act and the impact on the Auto Glazing Industry and the community. Our involvement has seen many positive outcomes including the recognition of historic qualifications. We are still working with the Department in relation to ADAS recalibrations.

The AGA has had many discussions with various RTO’s in relation to delivering suitable Cert II & III programs in appropriate time frames.

We have also continued to work with PwC Skills Group Australia as they update this program.

COVID has certainly impacted our lives and businesses and we have published information awareness poster specific to our industry.

COMPLIANCE

The AGA was successful in having Standards Australia review the AS 2080 - Safety glazing for land vehicles. Standards Australia published the updated AS2080:2019 effective 3 September 2019.

The next standard highlighted for revision in 2022 is the AS 2366: 1 & 2 1999.. This fits with the AGA’s commitment of lifting the standards.

The AGA’s profile and activity has certainly extended positively since our last AGM and will continue to play an important position going forward. We have demonstrated our ability to work with government, associated associations and Standards organisations to the benefit of our industry, members and community.  

There is still much work to be done and the situation in NSW has certainly reinforced our value. The work with NSW Department of Fair Trading continues and there may be further need for the AGA to engage with other state departments as they potentially follow NSW’s example.

Looking back, we have achieved a great deal and if we all stay committed and involved, we will create an industry that compels AGGR specialists to install every piece of glass to the Australian Standard, become trained and certified, use only quality products and operate ethically and professionally.

At the AGM our 2021-2022 EC Office Bearers and Committee members were voted in.

Incentives available for AGA Members in 2022

In February 2022 the AGA will launch in partnership with Murray Mallee Training Company Ltd (MMTC) the Cert lll AUR30616 - Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology RPL Program.

This program will be available across Australia and will provide an opportunity for our NSW members with the Cert II qualification to upskill to the CERT lll by way of credit Transfer for previously completed studies

MMTC have been a primary provider of the Cert lll in Auto Glass Technology via the Australian Apprenticeship Pathway and will now have an RPL pathway also available.

With the RPL program most of the evidence collecting to prove an individual's ability to complete repair work under each of the nominated units of competency is completed by the learner. This process can take up to 3 - 6 months.

A key focus of the AGA has been "Lifting the Standards" and with the ever-changing environment we are now working in; having your existing skills recognised will assist many of industry members to meet current and new regulatory standards as they are introduced.

To assist our association members enrolment fees for the RPL program with MMTC will be subsidised by up to 50% subject to terms and conditions being met.

More information about the RPL Program will be released in 2022

ADAS News - DID YOU KNOW?

In NSW there is a pending determination being consider under the Motor Vehicle and Repairers Act 2013.

That auto glaziers do not hold an appropriate qualification that provides them with the adequate skills and knowledge to complete recalibration of forward facing cameras on a motor vehicles during the windscreen replacement process.

What does this mean for the Auto Glazing industry?

This will mean that Automotive Glaziers will not be able to complete this repair work as part of the windscreen repair process in the future, potentially returning vehicles to customers with replaced/new windscreen glass, but without a recalibrated ADAS system (to manufacturer guidelines) as it must then be performed in another step by a "Motor Mechanic and "Automotive Electrician" generally at other premises or location. This poses a significant risk to the motoring and pedestrian population. Challenges in manufacturing booking capacity and processes as well as the logistics of a potentially two-staged windscreen replacement process will be a deterrent to have the 2nd key step of recalibrating the ADAS system skipped in many instances.

The AGA have been in discussions with NSW Fair Trade and have sent a letter to the Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation.

In the letter it is stated that if this recommendation succeeds it will be a substantial blow to our industry given that many have made investment decisions in the interests of motorist safety to eradicate this high-risk potential of uncalibrated cars being sent back on the road post glass replacement. It is our view this recommendation has been made without full consideration of.

• the differences between scanning and calibration confusing mechanical fault diagnostics with recalibration initiation
• calibration equipment (manufacturers training) from recognised businesses of high market repute
• Inherent skills and knowledge
• OEM and technical data
• industry investment and training
• the place of calibration within the windscreen replacement process as seen in the appendix
• types of calibration (static/dynamic)
• consumers (safety, convenience, cost)
• insurers (customer satisfaction - Net Promoter Score (NPS), claims costs, investment)
• full risk analysis
• equipment, training, and resources outside of the auto glass industry

The AGA is seeking endorsement from NSW Department of Fair Trade that repair work associated with the replacement of an automotive vehicle windscreens with forward-facing Cameras (ADAS) can be completed by one of the following subject to manufacturers and industry training requirements being met.

- Automotive Glazier (Cert lll minimum qualification or equivalent)

- Automotive Electrician

- Automotive Mechanic

QUICK READS!