The Federal and ACT Governments have announced matched $9.7 million funding to establish Australia’s first TAFE Electric Vehicle (EV) Centre of Excellence at the Canberra Institute of Technology.
The Centre of Excellence is set to 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.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor said the facility 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.
“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,” said Mr O’Connor.
“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 will build on CIT’s existing collaboration with the Australian National University to develop a dual qualification (VET and higher education) engineering apprenticeship, to 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.
ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr says the centre 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.
“The ACT Government has been at the forefront of electric vehicle training and skills courses to prepare Canberrans for the jobs of the future,” he said.
“As an early adopter we are in a strong position to be the nation’s first state or territory to secure a TAFE Centre of Excellence through the Canberra Institute of Technology.
“There are a number of emerging opportunities over the coming decades that will create more jobs in renewables and increase demand for skilled workers.
“This new Centre of Excellence will ensure our workforce is prepared for the transition to the new economy and tackle broader national and local skills shortages.
“Investing in skills and training in these industries is a key part of our plan to deliver 300,000 jobs by 2030.”
The Australian Government has also pledged to invest a further $4.8 million to accelerate the creation of the Centre of Excellence.
The Government is investing $325 million under the 5-year National Skills Agreement that began on 1 January, 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.
