Page 29 - Australasian Paint & Panel Magazine Sep-Oct 2020

AMA has spent the last two years working on the development
of a Coaching Apprenticeship Program.
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AMA has significantly invested in the development
of coaching apprentices and addressing the issues which have contributed to poor completion rates
across our national tertiary education system”
“Through our online learning plat- form, employees can progress their journey within AMA Group and learn the skills and processes required for a number of roles, including manage- ment, throughout the company. We also have a future leaders programme which helps individuals develop a per- sonal development plan to achieve their goals.
“We believe this program is the first of its kind anywhere in the world,” Donnelly said. “It recognises that to maximise the transfer of knowledge we need to invest in, and develop, both our tradespeople and apprentices. This programme ensures that when an ap- prentice starts, they are assigned a coach. They are also given the coach’s working history, specialisation and work ethic/belief so they can better understand the skills of the person coaching them. All coaches have com- pleted a specialised course which de- velops skills and knowledge across a broad range of areas. We have also at- tracted university graduates who are migrating towards ‘trade-based’ busi- nesses where they can learn and add- value to operations.”
JENAYA HOCKEY
AMA reports that since joining the
team at Gemini Wacol, Hockey has continuously showed progression through her work ethic, willingness to
improve and challenging herself through her daily tasks as a third year spray painting apprentice. Her love for arts led
her to follow a career in spray painting, but in the early days of her career she was nervous and hesitant to get into the spray booth. Today she calls the booth her ‘happy place’.
RAMIRO ROJAS
Rojas studied Business Management and International Business at QUT. He joined the AMA Group and after nine months of training became a
centre manager. He now manages the biggest smash repair facility in
Queensland. He witnessed the change in the industry and realised the amount of opportunity for academic, dynamic individuals to revolutionise the industry and make a good living out of it.
AMA Group also reports that it is ac- celerating I-CAR Gold training, bring- ing forward the roll-out across the business from September 2020 instead of a 2021 start.
“I-CAR has provided the foundations and led new-age training for the last 15 years. Our number one priority is the safety of our customers and AMA is committed to delivering the future skills and competencies required to repair modern day motor vehicles, year after year.” Bubulj said.
“Repairing cars in 2020 and beyond requires ongoing, up-to-date training; investment in technology; and skilled professionals who manage and oversee the process.
“For AMA this is an essential pro- gram, not just for us but to ensure we deliver to our work providers and the customers who rely on us keeping them and their families safe.”
Scott Donnelly, AMA’s OEM and technical manager, said: “Our aim is to gain a Gold Class site in each state as quickly as possible while rolling out the program. ADAS awareness and hy- brid courses have already been rolled out to all sites, as well as welding training.
“We are working in conjunction with BASF to have all painters trained
and certified, and when OEM ap- proved facilities receive training de- livered by I-CAR, I-CAR points are also collected.
“This is a huge project with great sup- port from I-CAR Australia and I-CAR NZ. Training becomes even more criti- cal as technology advances in our indus- try in leaps and bounds.
“The entire industry has to em- brace this, it is not a ‘nice to have’, it is an essential element
of our industry. Ignorance is not
an excuse.”
“AMA Group strongly believes
in ongoing learning and development to ensure that our trades people are up- to-date with the latest crash repair methods and technology. We employ technical development officers (TDOs) to deliver training on meeting the challenge of high strength stee Efficient techniques to remove
the refit welded panels; Weld-
ing techniques used in the
smash repair industry; Becom-
ing a plastic repair ‘master’ and: Modern repair techniques in the auto- motive industry.
“It is our intent to have every AMA Group tradesperson (apprentice and trade qualified) to complete all five courses,” Donnelly said.