Recreational Vehicles

Training snapshot

Overall, program enrolments in Recreational Vehicles-related qualifications increased from more than 130 in 2017 to about 220 in 2021. Program completions also increased over this period, from approximately 30 to nearly 50. In 2019, program completions peaked at 120.

In 2021, all program enrolments were at the certificate III level. The intended occupations from training in Recreational Vehicles-related qualifications training were Motor Mechanic (General) and Vehicle Body Builder.

TAFE institutes delivered the majority (94%) of training in Recreational Vehicles-related qualifications in 2021. Approximately 85% of subject enrolments were Commonwealth and state government funded, with the remainder (15%) funded via domestic fee for service arrangements.

Queensland had the highest proportion of students who enrolled in Recreational Vehicle-related qualifications (38%) during 2021, followed by New South Wales (35%) and Victoria (26%). Nearly four out of ten (39%) of program enrolments were delivered in Queensland, followed 35% in New South Wales and more than a quarter (26%) in Victoria.

Overall, the number of apprenticeship and traineeship commencements in Recreational vehicle-related qualifications increased from 40 in 2012 to more than 160 in 2021. Over the same period, the number of apprenticeship and traineeship completions declined, from approximately 60 in 2012 to about 30 in 2021.

The intended occupations from Recreational Vehicle-related apprenticeships and traineeships in 2021 were Motor Mechanic (General) and Vehicle Body Builder. Queensland reported the highest proportion of apprentices and trainees (43%) in this sector in 2021, followed by Victoria (37%) and New South Wales (20%).

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Industry insights on skills needs

The Process Manufacturing, Recreational Vehicle and Laboratory IRC’s Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work 2019-2023 was the last published by the IRC. It identified regulatory/legislative standards, changing consumer behaviour and technological advances were driving changes for priority skills.

As well as demand for skills in using/adapting to environmentally/sustainable practices, business related and managerial skills were also a priority, as well as digital skills.

Further, demand was increasing for specific industry/occupation skills, such as:

• technical skills, such as electrical, plumbing, fibreglass and adoption of new manufacturing processes and materials
• advanced manufacturing skills, such as robotics, 3D printing, virtual reality and holographics
• vehicle accessories fitting technical skills, including light automotive mechanical, panel beating/auto dismantling, spray painting and auto electrical, and the fitting of new products/technologies
• generic skills, such as community and collaboration, learning and adapting to change
• basic knowledge of 12v solar, plumbing and repair techniques to ensure the correct information was being provided to customers of sales and repair services.

While the Process Manufacturing, Recreational Vehicle and Laboratory IRC ranked key categories of generic skills, such as Technology and Design mindset/thinking critically/systems thinking/solving problem skills, it noted that other skills were important and may vary considerably between industry sectors, regions and individual businesses. For example, customer service skills were important for the Recreational Vehicles sector, as it included retail businesses.

According to the 2019 Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work 2019-2023, the recreational vehicle sector was growing due to the availability of a wide variety of products from low-priced imports through to high-end locally-manufactured products. Further, the repair, maintenance, alteration and upgrading of recreational vehicles was placing high demand on experienced trade qualified technicians. Compounding this challenge was increased demand on existing technicians from time poor consumers, who at times engaged unqualified people to carry out repairs.

At the same time, attracting new/young apprentices and trainees to the recreational vehicle sector was a challenge and the retention of quality staff was becoming more difficult.

The Recreational Vehicle project, focused on updating the training products due to significant changes in processes and practices across the recreational vehicle sector. The review investigated an improved structure to better support individuals to move more easily between related RV industry occupations. As such the project reviewed and redeveloped seven qualifications, 30 units of competency and developed eight new units of competency, which were submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee for consideration and approval in October 2022.

Below is a list of industry relevant research, organisations and associations. Hyperlinks have been included where available.

IRC and skills forecasts

Process Manufacturing, Recreational Vehicles and Laboratory IRC

• Process Manufacturing, Recreational Vehicle and Laboratory IRC’s Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work 2019-2023
  
  • MSM – Manufacturing Training Package
• IRC membership
• IBSA Manufacturing – Skills Service Organisation

Relevant research

Recreational Vehicle project – IBSA Group

Industry associations and advisory bodies

Caravan Industry Association of Australia

Caravan and Camping Industry Association NSW

Caravan Industry Association Western Australia

Caravanning Queensland

Caravan and Camping Industries Association of South Australia

Caravan Industry Victoria

Employee associations

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union

Training data has been extracted from the National VET Provider Collection, Total VET Students and Courses from the following training package or qualifications:

• MSM Manufacturing Training Package
  
  • MSA20610 - Certificate II in Recreational Vehicle Manufacture
  • MSA30510 - Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Service and Repair
  • MSA30610 - Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Manufacture
  • MSM21015 - Certificate II in Recreational Vehicle Service and Repair
  • MSM21115 - Certificate II in Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing
  • MSM31015 - Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Service and Repair
  • MSM31115 - Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing
  • MSM31215 - Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle and Accessories Retailing
  • MSM41015 - Certificate IV in Recreational Vehicles
  • MSM41115 - Certificate IV in Recreational Vehicle and Accessories Retailing
  • MSM51015 - Diploma of Recreational Vehicles
  • THC20104 - Certificate II in Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing
  • THC20199 - Certificate II in Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing
  • THC20204 - Certificate II in Recreational Vehicle Servicing
  • THC20299 - Certificate II in Recreational Vehicle Servicing
  • THC20304 - Certificate II in Recreational Vehicle and Accessories Retailing
  • THC20399 - Certificate II in Recreational Vehicle and Accessories Retailing
  • THC30104 - Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing
  • THC30199 - Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing
  • THC30204 - Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Servicing
  • THC30299 - Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Servicing
  • THC30304 - Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle and Accessories Retailing
  • THC30399 - Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle and Accessories Retailing
  • THC40104 - Certificate IV in Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing
  • THC40199 - Certificate IV in Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing
  • THC40204 - Certificate IV in Recreational Vehicle Servicing
  • THC40299 - Certificate IV in Recreational Vehicle Servicing
  • THC40304 - Certificate IV in Recreational Vehicle and Accessories Retailing
  • THC40399 - Certificate IV in Recreational Vehicle and Accessories Retailing
  • THC50104 - Diploma of Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing.

This includes superseded qualifications and training packages.

Data covers a range of selected student and training characteristics in the following categories and years:

• 2017 to 2021 program enrolments
• 2017 to 2021 program completions
• 2021 subject enrolments.

Total VET students and courses data is reported for the calendar year. Program enrolments are the qualifications, courses and skill sets in which students are enrolled in a given period. For students enrolled in multiple programs, all programs are counted. Program completion indicates that a student has completed a structured and integrated program of education or training. Location data uses student residence. Subject enrolment is registration of a student at a training delivery location for the purpose of undertaking a module, unit of competency or subject. For more information on the terms and definitions, please refer to the Total VET students and courses: terms and definitions document.

Low counts (less than 5) are not reported to protect client confidentiality.

Percentages are rounded to one decimal place. This can lead to situations where the total sum of proportions in a chart may not add up to exactly 100%.

MSM – Manufacturing Training Package apprentice and trainee data has been extracted from the National Apprentice and Trainee Collection, including:

• 2012 to 2021 commencements
• 2012 to 2021 completions
• apprentices and trainees in-training October to December 2021 collection, by qualification and state and territory of data submitter.