TAFE Queensland will receive $3 million in Australian government funding to further enhance its electric vehicle (EV) training.
From this investment, TAFE Queensland estimates that over 5000 trade students and their prospective employers across Queensland will benefit.
The grant will be used to install cutting-edge Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) training simulators, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, used BEVs, 3D scanners and virtual reality headsets at TAFE Queensland’s Acacia Ridge (Brisbane South) and Bohle (Townsville) campuses.
The BEV Training Simulator project will support high quality hands-on learning for students, and training and upskilling to support EV maintenance and repair.
This comes as TAFE Queensland welcomed the state’s first EV apprentice supervisors from some of Queensland’s largest EV dealerships just last month.
The $3 million EV equipment upgrade funding comes from the Australian government’s $50 million TAFE Technology Fund, which is being used to upgrade and expand TAFE facilities across the country, including laboratories, workshops, equipment and simulated learning environments.
“Skilling more Australians to be able to take advantage of emerging technologies is critical to a cleaner and more sustainable future,” said Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor.
“Our $50 million TAFE Technology Fund helps ensure TAFEs are equipped to deliver training to the standards expected by students and industry.”
This is in addition to the Australia Government’s Fee-Free TAFE initiative, which removed financial barriers to enrolment for over 355,000 Australians in 2023.
Nearly 70,000 Queenslanders enrolled in free TAFE last year, including almost 27,000 in regional and remote areas of the state.
A further $502.9 million will be invested for an additional 320,000 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places nationwide over the next three years.
According to Queensland Minister for Training and Skills Development, Lance McCallum, these initiatives are helping to ensure everyday Queenslanders can access the high-paying, future-proof jobs in our burgeoning clean energy industries.
“We want Queenslanders at the front of the line for good local jobs in the booming electric vehicle industry, so these investments are about creating real opportunities for everyday people,” he said.
Federal Member for Moreton, Graham Perrett added, “Ensuring that students have access to new technologies is crucial for promoting the high-quality education TAFE provides and assuring job-ready graduates.”