There is concern the Elizabeth area of South Australia could turn into Australia's version of the blighted American city Detroit when Holden closes its manufacturing centre next year.

Key points: Calls to utilise pool of talent created by shrinking car sector

Calls to utilise pool of talent created by shrinking car sector Number of high-tech manufacturing businesses have sprung up in Adelaide

Number of high-tech manufacturing businesses have sprung up in Adelaide Businesses looking for skilled auto workers

Businesses looking for skilled auto workers Older Holden workers unsure about their future prospects

But there have been some signs of hope for workers from the car industry, with experts saying the skills learnt while working at the centre are "world class" and not to be underestimated.

A number of high-tech manufacturing businesses have sprung up in Adelaide, and have said they want to use the highly developed skills of auto workers.

James Moros, a former automotive engineer, was made redundant four years ago.

He said he decided to put his experience to work and follow his dream — producing handmade racing bicycles.

"I actually enjoy manufacturing and love cycling, and I thought well the opportunity's now there to start something new," he said.

Mr Moros is one of thousands who have been made redundant from South Australia's automotive industry.

But he said the shrinking car sector has created a "pool of talent" that should be utilised.

"I worked on airbags, I worked on bumper bars, on tyres — all of these things give you the ability to expose yourself in high end technical stuff," Mr Moros said.

Automotive industry skills 'world class'

High-end skills were what Peter Rowland wanted when he looked for recruits for his technology start-up, Micro-X — developing an ultra light-weight mobile X-ray machine.

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And he said he saw those skills in the car industry.

"The car industry is really the world's best practice in manufacturing," Mr Rowland said.

"Just the logistics, the focus on quality and price and production logistics is second to none."

Car industry DNA runs deeply through the fibre of Micro-X, their location is in the old Mitsubishi plant south of Adelaide.

And eight of its employees are former Holden workers, including Alex Blackman, the quality and supply chain manager.

Peter Rowland [L], Alex Blackman [C] and Adam Williams [R] at Micro-X. ( ABC News: Michael Edwards )

Mr Blackman said Holden would often preach to them that the skills they gained there were world class and world benchmark.

"But it's one of the things that you don't really notice until you leave and you start working in other industries and you actually see that even advanced industries, like medical device manufacturing, are quite a long way behind the auto industry in terms of how mature they are with their quality processes," he said.

Adam Williams, production manager at Micro-X and former Holden employee, said his advice to those still in the sector was to realise what skills they have and to make sure they market them properly.

"Make sure that they don't underestimate what they've learnt from Holden and the auto industry, they are really really valued skills for other industries to bring into their organisation."

Tough decisions for older workers

For some Holden workers, especially those underqualified and over the age of 50, the closure of the Holden manufacturing centre leaves them with a murky future.

Murray Akehurst is over 50 and said he was unsure of what he would do when Holden shuts down next year.

"My intention was to work at Holden until I retired," Mr Akehurst said.

"So when they announced they were going to close, along with a lot of other people who work at Holden, I was devastated when I heard that.

"Now I've got to try and think what am I going to do for a job after Holden, because as you know unemployment is very high in South Australia and job opportunities are very limited."