Competition for apprentices in the automotive industry has driven TAFE NSW to offer Pre-Vocational Automotive Courses in conjunction with a range of dealerships around the state, from Ford and Toyota to Porsche and Mercedes Benz. Participants receive a TAFE NSW certificate and reference on completion.
Tim O’Malley, Dealer Principal at Tumut Toyota, said the benefits of employing apprentices with existing skills were far-reaching.
‘It’s good for them to have external training, in addition to what they then get here. It’s the best of both worlds – it helps us keep our technology up-to-date with what we offer in our service department. Keeping our staff abreast of technology and well trained is very important for the business.’
The past five years has also seen a big push for apprenticeships. ‘We have to grow our own because it is very hard to get fully-trained technicians,’ Mr O’Malley said. Other industries in the area such as construction and manufacturing, as well as larger regional centres were competing for skilled labour.
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Want to accelerate your business growth? |
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TAFE NSW skills trainees to meet workforce demands. |
David Arnold works as a mechanic at Tumut Toyota and undertook a pre-employment automotive course at TAFE NSW – Riverina Institute. ‘If you want to be a mechanic, the pre-vocational automotive course is excellent,’ said Mr Arnold. ‘TAFE NSW has given me a trade, as well as knowledge and confidence.’
TAFE NSW – Northern Sydney Institute has also provided a skilled employee for G Brothers Mercedes Benz at Mona Vale. According to Talal Rossi, Service Advisor and Apprentice Coordinator, the new arrangement provides work experience opportunities and an insight into the automotive industry.
Mark Turner is now employed as a full-time apprentice after completing a pre-employment course. ‘I was at TAFE NSW learning all about the automotive industry when the opportunity of work experience at Mercedes-Benz came up,’ he said. ‘It’s a real privilege working with such a prestigious brand name.’
The program began in 2000 with a training deal with the Toyota Motor Corporation Australia. Holden then joined in 2001, followed by Ford and Mitsubishi in 2002. Mercedes-Benz and other dealers have joined since.
