In a significant move to address industry needs, Tasmania’s primary automotive training provider is undergoing a major transformation in how it prepares the next generation of automotive professionals.
TasTAFE, the designated training provider for Tasmania’s automotive industry, is revolutionising its approach to apprenticeship education. After years of utilising a self-paced training model, the institution is transitioning to a more structured system that places teachers at the center of the learning experience, allowing them to fully leverage their expertise in classroom settings.
This strategic shift comes in response to the industry’s evolving requirements and aims to address several longstanding concerns from employers, including quality of training outcomes, extended apprenticeship durations, and communication gaps between businesses and educational providers.
“The new learning model and the supporting resources will provide apprentices with the skills and knowledge that the modern automotive workplace requires,” says Bruce McIntosh, TACC State Manager.
To facilitate this transition, Skills Tasmania and the Tasmanian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (TACC) have joined forces to provide crucial funding through the Tasmanian Industry Partnership Program. This financial support has enabled the development of contemporary, industry-built learning and assessment resources specifically designed for both teachers and apprentices.
These new resources stand out for being current, engaging, and precisely aligned with the requirements of each unit of competency. Their development involved input from industry experts and was overseen by a specialised Learning Development Team with extensive automotive background, ensuring practical relevance to real-world scenarios.
In addition to learning materials, the program has equipped TasTAFE with industry-standard resources including the MotorTech technical information product—the same system used by professional workshops across the sector—and ten new diagnostic tools. Teachers have received comprehensive face-to-face training on utilising these resources effectively in their instruction.
The partnership extends beyond just resource provision. The collaboration forged between TasTAFE and industry stakeholders represents an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement in automotive education. This sustained relationship promises to strengthen over time, creating a feedback loop that will consistently enhance training outcomes for apprentices.
For Tasmania’s automotive sector, these developments address critical issues that have affected workforce development, including concerns about training quality, unnecessarily prolonged apprenticeship periods, and communication barriers between employers and educational institutions.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve with rapid technological advancements, this revitalised approach to training ensures Tasmania’s future automotive professionals will be equipped with the precise skills and knowledge demanded by modern workplaces.