The federal government has announced that it will create the nation’s first TAFE Electric Vehicle (EV) Centre of Excellence at the Canberra Institute of Technology.
The centre will come courtesy of the federal government investing $9.7 million, with the ACT government matching that funding.
The Centre of Excellence will provide innovative world class training for a future EV workforce and will develop new diploma and degree apprenticeship pathways to support a future made in Australia for industries developing, operating and maintaining EVs and related technology.
The EV Centre of Excellence 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 centre will network with experienced TAFEs in other states and leverage partnerships with universities, tripartite jobs and skills councils and industry to build Australia’s skills base to support increased EV uptake and the transition to net zero.
“This Centre of Excellence in Canberra will help boost collaboration between CIT, other TAFEs across Australia and the university sector. It will deliver the EV skills and knowledge our labour market requires and strengthen our net zero capability,” federal skills and training minister Brendan O’Connor says.
“Students across the nation are benefiting from our commitment to reinvigorating the VET sector.
“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 Centre of Excellence will build on CIT’s existing collaboration with the Australian National University to develop a dual qualification (VET and higher education) engineering apprenticeship and equip future workers with the practical skills and knowledge-based capabilities to support innovation in the engineering, renewables and technology sectors.
Tesla, Komatsu and the tripartite Australian Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance are three key industry partners who have already committed to be involved with the Centre of Excellence and will support the design and delivery of industry relevant training products, apprenticeship pathways and job pathways for graduates.
The Centre of Excellence will be a leader for the nation on EV skills, information sharing, industry best practice sharing and resource development, and will form part of the Fyshwick Future Energy Skills Hub.
In addition, the federal government will invest a further $4.8 million to accelerate the creation of the Centre of Excellence due to the urgent need to increase use of EVs in transitioning to a net zero economy.
The federal government is investing $325 million under the five-year National Skills Agreement that began on January 1 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.
The Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) has welcomed the establishment of the centre as a key partner, and says it’s committed to supporting the future workforce in the industry.
“The federal 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 says.
“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.”