Western Sydney’s heavy vehicle workforce is set for a training boost, with the NSW Government investing $2.5 million in upgraded facilities at TAFE NSW Wetherill Park.
The investment aims to prepare more skilled workers for the state’s freight and transport industries, as road freight demand is projected to grow by almost 80 per cent by 2050.
The upgrades will support training for apprentices who will build, maintain and repair the trucks, trailers and buses that underpin supply chains across NSW.
What will the TAFE upgrades deliver?
The project will include a new covered outdoor learning area for practical training in heavy vehicle dismantling and assembly.
TAFE NSW Wetherill Park’s engineering grinding room will also be upgraded, with new extraction systems and safety improvements to meet industry standards.
Construction of the outdoor learning area is expected to begin in mid-2026, while the engineering upgrades are scheduled for completion in 2027.
Why does the heavy vehicle workforce need support?
The investment comes as the freight sector faces rising demand and an ageing specialist workforce.
Almost half of Australia’s vehicle body builders are aged 45 years and over, increasing the need to train new tradespeople with skills in vehicle manufacturing, maintenance and repair.
NSW Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Minister Steve Whan said the freight industry needs a stronger pipeline of skilled workers.
“The NSW freight industry underpins our economy. We need a pipeline of skilled workers who can build, maintain and service the trucks, trailers and heavy vehicles that keep our state moving,” Whan said.
How will students train on emerging technology?
Apprentices will also gain exposure to next-generation transport technology through a collaboration between TAFE NSW and clean energy company Pure One.
Pure One has offered a hydrogen-powered electric prime mover valued at $780,000 for educational use.
The vehicle will help students understand hydrogen as a zero-emission energy source, alongside battery-electric and conventional heavy-vehicle systems.
Whan said the upgrades would give students exposure to technologies shaping the future of transport.
How does this fit into Western Sydney’s freight growth?
The Wetherill Park investment builds on the NSW Government’s $54 million commitment to the TAFE NSW Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Western Sydney.
The campus is being positioned as a skills hub for manufacturing, engineering and transport industries.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said the investment aligns with major infrastructure projects such as Western Sydney Airport.
“This investment in training is being backed by our generational investment in projects like Western Sydney Airport, securing highly skilled jobs for locals so they can work close to home,” Car said.