The Albanese Government is investing $9.7 million, to be matched with $9.7 million by the Barr ACT Government, to establish Australia's first TAFE Electric Vehicle (EV) Centre of Excellence at the Canberra Institute of Technology.
This Centre of Excellence will 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.
The Electric Vehicle (EV) Centre of Excellence 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 .
The Centre will network with experienced TAFEs in other states and leverage partnerships with universities, tripartite Jobs and Skills Councils and industry to build up Australia's skills base to support increased EV uptake and the transition to net zero.
The Centre of Excellence 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.
The Centre of Excellence 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 Albanese 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.
A part of the Albanese Government's investment includes $4.8 million to accelerate the creation of the Centre of Excellence, due to the urgent need to increase use of EVs in transitioning to a net zero economy.
TAFE Technology Fund boost
As part of the Albanese Government's TAFE Technology Fund, CIT will also receive $3.2 million to update automotive facilities for EV training at its Fyshwick campus.
To ensure the workshop is fit for purpose, the grant will also be used to purchase new equipment for students to train with cars and medium and heavy electric vehicles.
These facilities will help upskill the Canberra region and the Australian automotive and transport workforce with the skills required to support the transition to net zero.
The project is part of the $50 million TAFE Technology Fund, which is upgrading and expanding TAFE facilities, including laboratories, workshops, new equipment, and simulated learning environments.
This investment builds on opportunities created through the Albanese Government's Fee-Free TAFE initiative.
Last year, working with the ACT Government and other states and territories, we removed financial barriers for over 355,000 Australians to enrol in Fee-Free TAFE.
Quotes attributable to the Federal Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Brendan O'Connor MP:
"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.
"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."
Quotes attributable to the ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr MLA:
"The ACT Government has been at the forefront of electric vehicle training and skills courses to prepare Canberrans for the jobs of the future.
"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."
Quotes attributable to the ACT Minister for Skills and Training, Chris Steel MLA:
"In 2020 ACT Labor committed to deliver EV training at CIT to support and maintain the progressive electrification of private and publicly owned vehicles.
"Since then, our electric vehicle training lab and the staff at CIT have proved they can deliver nation leading training to prepare apprentices and workers for the jobs of the future.
"Importantly, these two new investments will allow us to upgrade facilities, and partner with universities and industry to scale up training and expand courses to medium and heavy electric vehicles.
"This is truly remarkable work, and it's a testament to what we can achieve for our city when Federal Labor and ACT Labor Governments work together."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Canberra, Alicia Payne MP:
"I'm proud that the Albanese Labor Government is investing to build on the success of our nation-leading Fyshwick Future Energy Skills Hub and supporting stronger collaboration between CIT and Canberra's world class universities.
"This is great news for Canberrans who want to train up for the jobs of the future."
