The Greens are today proud to announce our commitment to establish a TasTAFE Automotive Centre of Excellence in southern Tasmania.
The Liberals have spent years under resourcing TAFE, expecting it to operate on the smell of an oily rag.
The Campbell Street automotive training facility had already not been fit for purpose for some time when it flooded last year. There should have been a long-term replacement plan ready well before this incident. But not only did the Liberals neglect to plan for the future, earlier this year Minister Felix Ellis sent shockwaves through the state’s automotive industry by sacking half of TAFE’s southern automotive training staff.
Tasmanian mechanics and workshop owners are already disadvantaged by limited EV training availability, but they have been further hindered by the closure of training facilities in the south of the state. And not having enough properly trained mechanics in Tasmania is a serious road safety risk. Action is needed.
The Greens recognise that the State Government has to play a central role in securing a future ready workforce in Tasmania.
An Automotive Centre of Excellence is an urgent necessity to both provide a new training facility and to make Tasmania a national leader in training for the rapidly changing automotive sector.
Tasmania’s young people are leaving for the mainland in huge numbers. By investing now in the training and employment opportunities for the jobs of the future, we can begin turning that trend around.
The Greens plan would invest $30 million in constructing a TasTAFE Automotive Centre of Excellence in southern Tasmania. On top of the existing workforce, we’d also hire another eight staff to run the centre – five new teachers, two new support staff, and a learning support tutor. This commitment reflects what the Australian Education Union has identified as necessary.
Now is our chance to make sure TAFE supports Tasmanian future industry jobs and ensures we keep up with rapid technological change. With a new government and the Greens in balance of power we will fight for the investment and vision for the future that Tasmania needs and deserves.
