TAFE Queensland offers training for mechanics that keep Queensland’s transport industries moving and is in constant contact with relevant industry stakeholders to ensure the training on offer suits the current and future needs of the industry.
This training includes everything from pre-apprenticeship Certificate II courses right through to post-trade specialist training and can be found all over the state of Queensland, with TAFE Queensland having 60 campuses from Cairns to Coolangatta and out to Mt Isa.
Electric Vehicles (EVs) are a hot topic around the world right now and there are significant changes forecast for the transport industry both locally and internationally, with global manufacturers announcing their plans to deliver EV fleets across the world.
TAFE Queensland has responded by introducing a range of EV training courses for both current and completed apprentices, including the Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set (AURSS00064). This course is for qualified mechanics in Queensland who have completed their apprenticeship and is available to eligible participants at zero cost under the Queensland and Federal Governments’ Fee-Free TAFE funding initiative.
The first cohort in this course has already completed the training and consisted of mechanics from both the light and heavy automotive industries.
Workers travelled from all over Queensland to undertake the crucial training and were very impressed.
One participant, Ali Abbas, said he chose to take on the training to future-proof his business, “These vehicles are becoming more and more common so I wanted to upskill so I could confidently work on these vehicles and advertise that I’m doing so in order to boost my business.”
Abbas added that while the official certification was important, most importantly the TAFE Queensland teachers ensured that through their training every student graduated highly capable and profoundly confident in their newfound skills.
“Being certified is a good thing, but to really feel confident and comfortable that I am actually able to do this work and advertise it to my clients is even better,” Abbas said.
Another course on offer at TAFE Queensland for mechanics to upskill in new technologies is the Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Skill Set (SSAUR0005), which has drawn students from across Australia and New Zealand.
Heavy auto-electrician Simon Burnby was sent from New Zealand to Brisbane by his employer Transport Repairs Limited as their first worker to upskill in the essential new skills, and he says the business is looking to send more following his experience.
“I thought the course was very beneficial, I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was very efficiently run and the teachers were very knowledgeable,” Burnby said.
Transport Repairs Limited is among the many businesses looking to set themselves up for the rise of HEV/BEV usage in the heavy transport sector, and Burnby said TAFE Queensland’s training was a first step towards this end goal.
“Historically in the business we have done very little of this work, but we are looking to get the workshops set up to carry out the required work on these vehicles and that is why I was sent to Brisbane to get trained in these skills and hopefully we will send more people now to upskill as well,” explained Burnby.
“I would recommend this course definitely, the teachers were experts, the course was very efficient and well-run and I gained a lot of new skills to take back to the workshop,” he said.
For more information about trade training, visit tafeqld.edu.au or call 1300 308 233 today to make great happen.