The hard work and dedication of the apprentices in the nation’s transport fleet workshops is being celebrated this week as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026.
One organisation in particular, the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has used the opportunity to congratulate the more than 580 apprentices working across the VACC and TACC member businesses throughout Victoria and Tasmania.
VACC Chief Executive Officer Peter Jones said National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity to celebrate apprentices and everyone who supports them.
“Apprentices are the future of our industry and supporting them properly is not optional, it’s essential,” Jones says.
“As the largest single employer of automotive apprentices in the country, VACC sees first-hand what works: strong employer engagement, consistent mentoring and access to high-quality training facilities.
“When apprentices are supported well, they gain skills that are transferable, future-focused and critical to the long-term strength of our industry.”
VACC also recognises apprentice achievement through its annual Automotive Industry Awards, celebrating apprentice graduations and spotlighting excellence across the sector.
Recent recipients include Sean Perry, named 2025 VACC Apprentice of the Year, whose journey highlights the value of structured mentoring, quality on-the-job training and strong employer support in building long-term automotive careers.
Executive Manager of Membership and Training Nigel Muller says apprenticeships remain central to the industry’s future.
“Automotive trades are becoming more complex every year, and apprentices need access to the right facilities, qualified trainers and ongoing support to succeed,” Muller says.
“Our focus is on helping apprentices not just start their careers, but finish them well, with skills that will serve the industry and the community for decades to come.”
National Apprenticeship Week is designed to highlight the importance of apprenticeships and traineeships in building a skilled workforce across key industries.
The week was first launched in 2022 by MIGAS Apprentices and Trainees and lists its strategic objectives as:
- Advance the prominence and positioning of Australian Apprenticeships as an attractive and equal tertiary education pathway.
- Create greater awareness about apprenticeship and traineeship careers by busting myths, misconceptions and stereotypes.
- Keep Australian Apprenticeships on the national agenda to secure continued industry and government support.
- Promote the importance and value of diversity, equal access, and participation in apprenticeships and traineeships.
- Foster creative and critical thinking about how Australian Apprenticeships look now and into the future.
- Showcase the employers investing in, and benefitting from, apprenticeships in their workplace.
As part of the celebration of the week a set of resources are available to businesses from the National Apprentice Week organisers here.
Suggestions for celebrating the week include: hosting a workplace visit, open day, or toolbox talk celebrating apprentices and sharing success stories of apprentices and tradespeople on your website and social media.