TAFE Queensland’s heavy automotive upskill programs

TAFE Queensland is providing qualified technicians with express upskill programs to complete a second trade or expand their abilities into the rapidly expanding Electric Vehicle (EV) sector, with popular post-trade courses including the Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology (AUR31220) or the Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set (AURSS00064).

As industries such as the resources sector demand more workers, TAFE Queensland is providing experienced automotive technicians the opportunity to upskill and become a dual trade qualified technician by earning their Certificate III in Mobile Plant (AUR31220) through a specially designed program.

Eligible qualified technicians with either a Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology (AUR30620) or Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology (AUR31120) can complete intensive upskill programs to complete the gap training required to secure a Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology (AUR31220).

TAFE Queensland’s flagship trade training facility in Acacia Ridge is the birthplace of such courses, and business manager of heavy automotive training for the region, David Jenkinson, says there has been significant industry interest in dual-trade qualified technicians.

“The reason we started these courses was after talking to industry and being told there is a really strong demand for dual-trade technicians in the resources sector. We have done these as bespoke programs for some large players in the resources space and can now open up the opportunity to individual workers as well,” Jenkinson said.

“These programs focus on not double-handling course material that students have completed during their initial apprenticeship. We train technicians in the skills gaps between their initial apprenticeship and their new qualification of the Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology (AUR31220).”

“Feedback so far has been outstanding and partnering businesses have been pleased and keen to continue enrolling workers. For anybody eyeing a career change into the resources sector, this is a great opportunity,” he said.

TAFE Queensland is in constant engagement with industries it serves to determine how training can support the needs of industry, and upskill programs are a key example of this. With 140 years of strong history, the largest training provider in Queensland has navigated many industrial changes and emerging trends and will continue to do so well into the future.

As motorists and transport fleets across Queensland and the world make the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), Queensland’s automotive industry is preparing for an influx of EV servicing, and experienced local technicians are now able to complete the new Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set (AURSS00064) at TAFE Queensland for

no cost, under the Australian and Queensland Governments’ Fee-Free TAFE initiative.

The intensive four-day course covers basic skills needed to begin working confidently on EVs and has been taken up by hundreds of Queensland technicians since its inception in early 2023, with regular on campus delivery available at TAFE Queensland’s Acacia Ridge and Townsville (Bohle) campuses across 2024.

TAFE Queensland emerging industries business development manager Shawn O’Sullivan said TAFE Queensland had worked hard to develop critical training to support the local automotive industry’s transition to EV work as ownership of these vehicles continues to increase across the state.

“EV and zero emissions vehicles (ZEV) training are a focus for TAFE Queensland as the state moves towards greater ownership of these vehicles. Rystad Energy predicts battery electric vehicles will make up 50 per cent of car sales worldwide by 2033 and will account for almost every new car sold by 2050, and we are delivering local technicians the training they need to prepare for this increase,” O’Sullivan said.

“TAFE Queensland is training automotive students in the skills needed to work on the vehicles of today and of the future. This training is being carried out in line with the Queensland Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy 2022-2032, helping to achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

“There is a need for perpetual innovation in the training industry, especially for the automotive sector, and TAFE Queensland prides itself on working closely with industry to shape our training products and ensure we are providing forward-thinking training options.

“Upskilling local technicians in these skills as part of the Fee-Free TAFE funding is a huge bonus for Queensland, and graduates of this Skillset will be closer to becoming workplace supervisors of apprentices in the all new EV apprenticeship course,” he said.

TAFE Queensland is registered to deliver the all new Electric Vehicle apprenticeship across Queensland, the Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology (AUR32721), with apprentices learning on campus using a fleet of training-purpose hybrid and battery electric vehicles including a Foton Mobility electric truck.

Qualified workers currently in industry or employers interested to gain a larger pool of new employees are encouraged to reach out to TAFE Queensland via client.solutions@tafeqld.edu.au to discuss their options and eligibility for dual-trade upskill and electric vehicle training programs.

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