The Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) has welcomed the government's decision to establish Australia's first TAFE Electric Vehicle (EV) Centre of Excellence at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT).
AUSMASA, along with other key partners Tesla and Komatsu, has committed to be involved with the TAFE EV Centre of Excellence and will support the design and delivery of industry-relevant training products, apprenticeship pathways and job pathways for graduates.
The Albanese Government will invest $9.7 million, to be matched with $9.7 million by the Barr ACT Government, to establish the Centre of Excellence, which will provide innovative, world-class training for a future EV workforce.
The Centre will further develop training for mechanics, technicians and developers of light and heavy vehicles and mobile plant technology, hydrogen vehicles and associated fields such as charging infrastructure installation and maintenance.
"The Albanese Government's investment in TAFE Centres of Excellence reflects its commitment to providing high-quality, industry-relevant education and training,” AUSMASA CEO Dr Gavin Lind said.
“These Centres will play a crucial role in developing and delivering the skills needed for the future workforce and driving innovation in critical sectors.
“We are proud to support this inaugural EV TAFE Centre of Excellence and look forward to being part of the positive impact in developing the skills needed for this important future EV workforce."
AUSMASA's Initial Workforce Plan, The Future is Now: Mining and Automotive Industries November 2023, highlighted the need for Australia's service and repair sector to be better prepared for the rise in electric vehicles in Australia.
Occupations such as EV technicians are anticipated to become more important over time, with the Federal Treasury 2023 Intergenerational Report forecasting that EVs would increase from less than 1% of Australia's motor vehicle fleet in 2022-23 to 85% in 2062-63.
“This Centre of Excellence in Canberra will help boost collaboration between CIT, other TAFEs across Australia and the university sector,” Federal Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said.
“It will deliver the EV skills and knowledge our labour market requires and strengthen our net zero capability.
“The EV Centre at CIT is the first of up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence that will respond to our most critical national skills needs – supporting innovation and EV training excellence across Australia.”
The Albanese Government is investing $325 million under the 5-year National Skills Agreement that began on 1 January 2024, to establish a network of up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence in areas of high skills needs, to help deliver a skilled workforce for strategically important industries to meet national challenges.
Part of the Albanese Government’s investment includes $4.8 million to accelerate the creation of the EV Centre of Excellence, due to the urgent need to increase use of EVs in transitioning to a net zero economy.
