NEWS 6 AFTERMARKET APRIL 2023 www.aftermarketonline.net Car mechanics are among the essential workers being urged to take up a life Down Under, following a UK visit by a delegation from the state of Western Australia looking for a host of professionals to take up hard-tofill roles on the other side of the world. The UK is not the only country experiencing acute skills shortages across a number of industries, and vehicle technicians are among those where the state, which includes Perth, the most remote city on Earth, needs more people. Others on the list include police officers, dentists, teachers, midwives, miners, nurses and doctors. Police and Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia said: "Safety, stability and sunshine – Western Australia has a lot to offer UK and Irish workers. Now is the time to move and be part of Western Australia's bright future." He led a team of recruiters on a tour of the UK during February, taking in Bristol, Edinburgh and London, along with Dublin in Ireland. Also on the mission were representatives from the Western Australia government, as well as Australia’s Motor Trade Association. The mission was also promoted via a £172,000 promotional campaign using the motto 'Western Australia - It's Like No Other', that included pub takeovers and other events. Pied Piper of Perth luring UK mechanics Down Under Automechanika Birmingham: Unprecedented visitor demand Automechanika Birmingham 2023, taking place 6-8 June at the NEC, is seeing unprecedented visitor demand, with registration figures 112% higher among garage professionals than before the previous 2019 event. There are also 168% more bodyshop and collision repair professionals than before the 2019 show. Meanwhile, visitor registrations for supply chain stakeholders are nearly 300% higher than show organisers Messe Frankfurt UK were expecting. Major names exhibiting include Bilstein Group, Bosch, Brembo, Castrol, Delphi, HELLA, LIQUI MOLY, MANN & HUMMEL and ZF Aftermarket. The show will also include a Workshop Training Hub, as well as a new EV Training Hub. Messe Frankfurt UK Marketing Director Alex Jones observed: “With so much on offer it’s no wonder that the exhibitor line up is the strongest it’s been since launch and the visitor registrations are at record breaking levels.” Ticket registration is sponsored by BookMyGarage.com. To claim your free ticket, visit: https://automechanika2023.reg.buzz/press MOT tester prosecuted A Bristol MOT tester who claimed he was coerced into logging more than 800 fraudulent MOTs at a garage in the city has been prosecuted and banned from MOT testing for five years, and the type of brake tests being submitted for the fake tests helped DVSA catch him. David Stephen Carden was convicted on 23 February of recording MOTs to vehicles which had not entered Auto Scuderia garage in Bristol between 1 August 2021 and 14 January 2022. Many of the registered keepers of the vehicles were not local, with some living up to 279 miles away. Many of the bogus tests also included a decelerometer brake test, instead of the required roller brake test, which helped give him away. Robert Morgan-Jones, defending said Mr Carden had been pressed into performing the tests by a man who had previously lent him money, and was given a “kicking” when he tried to back out. It was also suggested that he paid for the fake tests himself. DVSA Director of Enforcement s Marian Kitson commented: “Mr Carden issued MOT certificates to vehicles he had not seen or tested. He was both defrauding the MOT system and the public who rightly expect the MOT to help keep them and their families safe while using the roads. We will ensure that anyone who compromises safety in pursuit of personal gain feels the full force of the law.” David Carden was sentenced to eight months in prison on each of 12 counts of fraud, to run concurrently and suspended for 12 months. He also has to do 150 hours of unpaid work, 10 rehabilitation days and was ordered to pay a contribution towards prosecution costs of £2,250. 809 other cases were taken into consideration. He has kept his job at the garage however. To report MOT fraud, go to: www.gov.uk/guidance/report-an-mottester COMING IN AFTERMARKET’S JUNE EDITION: Our full Automechanika Birmingham 2023 preview.
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