Why Workshops Need To Produce Mechanics Qualifications

Both customers and business owners alike have shown mixed reactions to the requirement for workshops to display the qualifications of their mechanics. They argue that while these new government regulations have its merits, it could also have an adverse effect on the industry.

Right now we deal with 3 different car workshops and all three ‘owners’ who are the bosses came into the trade from a young age and they all DID NOT attend some college or training house and they are highly trained in diagnosing a problem and fixing in, rather than just replacing a part which might not be issue.

Meanwhile, we know of many ‘new’ workshops having ‘educated’ young mechanics who make regular mistakes even when doing a simple service on car as they do not have enough experience and was not even well trained by their automotive college and yet received a full diploma.

As a compromise, some believe that this requirement should be reserved only for willing participants, particularly workshops that attend to more specialised jobs or are considerably larger in operational size and smaller or older businesses should be left to continue as they are.

Many also agree that certification should be viewed more as an advantage instead of a requirement for employment, especially since not all active mechanics, especially those in smaller workshops, have formal qualifications. These mechanics do tend to have a knack for fixing cars and years of experience too.

On top of that, they were responding to a Bernama news report recently that workshop operators now need to display a list stating the names of mechanics and their qualifications to allow customers to obtain the proper information when selecting a vehicle workshop.

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub mentioned that this was one of several improvements contained in the Consumer Protection (Workshops Information Disclosure) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 that took effect nationwide on 1 July 2023.

He added that the move would encourage workshop owners to either hire qualified mechanics or help their mechanics to obtain proper qualifications.

“Operators also need to state clearly the category of spare parts being used, whether they are new, used or reconditioned, to ensure consumers know what is being used to repair or modify their vehicle. Action can be taken for any breach of the regulations as stipulated under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 (Act 599).” He concluded.

Enforcement of the amendment, which was gazetted on 22 June 2022 after a series of engagements with industry players, had been postponed for a year from 1 July 2022 to allow those affected to prepare for the changes, he said.