400 MECHANICS CHARGE UP WITH TAFE QUEENSLAND EV TRAINING

Hundreds of mechanics have taken advantage of free EV related courses

The Australian and Queensland Governments’ TAFE initiative offers fee-free classes to advance knowledge in automotive trades.
In 2024, more than 400 mechanics engaged in TAFE Queensland Electric Vehicle (EV) training.
A new course was introduced in 2023 entitled ‘Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set.’ This past year, more than 300 students took part in the class.
Small business owner Ali Abbas was one of the first students to complete the course.
He said he was interested in expanding his knowledge related to electric vehicles in order to increase business.
“These vehicles are becoming more and more common, so I wanted to upskill so I could confidently work on them and advertise that I’m doing so in order to boost my business,” Ali said.
The goal of the TAFE Queensland teachers is to ensure that every student becomes highly capable and confident in the targeted skills related to EVs.
“Being certified is a good thing, but to really feel confident and comfortable that I am able to do this work and advertise it to my clients is even better,” Ali said.
TAFE Queensland – SkillsTech General Manager, Stephen Gates, recognises the importance of EV training for automotive apprentices as electric vehicles become more prevalent.
“Upskilling Queensland’s automotive industry to work on the vehicles that are becoming more popular means not only training qualified mechanics and business owners but also apprentices,” Stephen said.
“There is the new EV apprenticeship for dealerships and other businesses working exclusively on these vehicles, but for most apprentices a base level of knowledge will also be needed across their career.”
Thousands of apprentices are currently enrolled and can opt to take elective EV units to enhance their training.
Other EV training is offered through various TAFE Queensland courses, including the Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Skill Set, Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology, and Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology.

For additional information about EV training and automotive training in general, visit www.tafeqld.edu.au/automotive