TAFE Gippsland continues to lead the way in providing training in the clean energy and emerging technologies area, with a $960,000 Commonwealth grant to introduce hybrid and electric vehicle training.
Senator Jess Walsh visited TAFE Gippsland’s Baw Baw Skills Centre today to announce the funding, which would be spent on replacing key pieces of specialist equipment and introduce hybrid vehicle (HV) and electric vehicle (EV) resources.
The investment will support the delivery of EV automotive training at TAFE Gippsland across regional campuses at Bairnsdale, Warragul, Leongatha, Port of Sale and Yallourn.
TAFE Gippsland CEO Laura Macpherson said the grant would assist the institute to play a key role in helping build the regional capacity of certified HV/EV service technicians, to meet increasing regional demand of EV servicing.
“As EVs become a more popular mode of transport in Gippsland, demand to have these vehicles serviced is increasing,” she said.
“Having EV training courses in Gippsland will alleviate businesses having to send their staff to Melbourne to access the training required to service EVs.
“This program aligns with our vision to become one of the leading national VET providers in the clean energy and emerging technologies area, and our plans for our upcoming $5 million state funded Clean Energy Centre in Morwell.”
TAFE Gippsland will offer a week-long, accredited skillset for existing automotive workers in Gippsland, in addition to those currently undertaking apprenticeship studies in Certificate III in Automotive (Light and Heavy Vehicle Mechanical).
The skillset will provide skills in depowering and reinitialising battery electric vehicles and inspecting and maintaining battery electric vehicles, in addition to other core skills.
“Several of our automotive trainers have already undertaken specialist training in preparation for us being in a position to offer this skillset, so we are ready to go,” Ms Macpherson said.
Caption: (from left) TAFE Gippsland CEO Laura Macpherson, automotive apprentices Ben Schmitt and Emily O’Farrell, Senator Jess Walsh and TAFE Gippsland Board Chair Paul Buckley PSM.