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THE DETAIL WORKER SHORTAGE<br />
when compounded with the<br />
well-documented supply chain<br />
problems and shortages of<br />
components and even chassis,<br />
is causing what should still be a<br />
golden era for camping to have<br />
a slightly bitter aftertaste.<br />
Daniel Onggowinarso<br />
explained: “It’s a frustrating<br />
situation for everyone involved.<br />
Under normal conditions, the<br />
industry could build and deliver<br />
significantly more vehicles.<br />
But in view of the problems<br />
in production, dealers and<br />
customers unfortunately have to<br />
wait longer than usual for their<br />
motor caravans and caravans.”<br />
Is the answer simply to try<br />
and persuade people with<br />
similar skills to switch to a<br />
booming industry? Perhaps not.<br />
Unlike in the car or truck sector,<br />
the production, repair and<br />
maintenance of a motorhomes<br />
or caravan also requires<br />
knowledge of things such as<br />
sanitary installations and liquid<br />
gas. In addition, materials such<br />
as wood and GRP are used in<br />
the living quarters of leisure<br />
▲ Can we build RVs fast enough for their current demand?<br />
vehicles, which the classic car<br />
mechanic is usually untrained<br />
to handle. So, people need to<br />
be encouraged and trained to<br />
join this industry so that it can<br />
continue to meet the demand,<br />
which while it may be levelling<br />
off after the gold rush of the<br />
pandemic, is still hugely inflated<br />
compared to before.<br />
This is a problem that CIVD<br />
has seen coming for some time.<br />
In June this year alongside<br />
the German Association of<br />
Car Body Technology (ZKF),<br />
it created a new training<br />
occupation specialisation<br />
with the aim of helping to<br />
increase the number of skilled<br />
and qualified leisure vehicle<br />
technicians in the country.<br />
“The creation of a separate<br />
specialisation takes into account<br />
the growth and change in the<br />
caravanning industry,” said<br />
Daniel Onggowinarso. “Not<br />
only is the technology of<br />
the vehicles becoming more<br />
and more complex, but our<br />
customers are also becoming<br />
more demanding in terms<br />
of services. The need for<br />
skilled workers is increasing<br />
accordingly. We assume that<br />
around 300 apprentices will<br />
be needed by manufacturers<br />
as well as dealerships and<br />
workshops every year. The new<br />
specialisation <strong>–</strong> Caravan and<br />
Motor Caravan Technology <strong>–</strong> is<br />
a milestone for us and makes<br />
an important contribution<br />
to making the caravanning<br />
industry fit for the future.”<br />
This specialisation was<br />
promoted at the recent Caravan<br />
Salon Düsseldorf show, in front<br />
of one of the biggest attendances<br />
it has ever drawn. Will this be<br />
enough to help remove at least<br />
one of the barriers preventing<br />
the leisure vehicle industry<br />
from achieving its current full<br />
potential? Only time will tell,<br />
but it certainly wouldn’t hurt if<br />
manufacturers themselves got<br />
involved in trying to encourage,<br />
train, and employ new blood into<br />
an ageing workforce.<br />
Photo: Dometic<br />
This article was first published on our new LinkedIn newsletter: the <strong>Camping</strong> Dispatch. Head over to<br />
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