Statistics regarding Australians participating in apprenticeships and traineeships in the automotive repairs and service trades in 1995-1999 were reviewed to provide an indication of where skill shortages may be occurring or will likely occur in relation to the following occupations: motor mechanic, automotive electrician, and panel beater. The review focused on the following items: commencements, number in training, and completions; age; Australian Qualifications Framework level; geographic region by state/territory; school attendance status; other training; and enrollment figures versus projected employment trends. The following were among the main findings: (1) the numbers of apprentices and trainees in all three occupations increased from 1995 to 1996 and then declined thereafter; (2) each occupation grew in the number of completions in 1995-1998, with automotive electricians having the greatest annual growth rate (15.9%); (3) except for the Northern Territory, all states and territories experienced growth in the number of commencements from 1997 to 1998; and (4) as each individual occupation experienced positive growth in commencements from 1997 to 1998 and assuming this trend continues, the number of apprentices and trainees in training as a proportion of the number employed in each occupation category could be expected to increase in the future. (Contains 12 tables.) (MN)