Tasmania’s Automotive Training Gets Major Boost

20
Oct

Tasmania’s Automotive Training Gets Major Boost with New $2.35M Cambridge Facility.

A strategic partnership between TasTAFE and the Tasmanian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (TACC) is delivering a significant win for the state’s automotive industry: a new, purpose-built $2.35 million training centre in Cambridge that will ensure Tasmania’s skills pipeline remains robust.

The announcement comes at a critical time for the sector. Following major flooding damage to TasTAFE’s automotive training facility at the Hobart Campbell Street campus in late 2024, which rendered the facility unfit for use, the new Cambridge Industrial Park location represents both recovery and reinvestment in vocational automotive education.

A Modern Facility Designed for Industry Needs

The facility has been secured through a long-term lease agreement and represents more than just a replacement—it’s a purpose-built training environment designed in close collaboration with industry. Once operational, the centre will feature an industry-standard automotive workshop complete with seven hoists (including a four-post hoist for wheel alignment), tyre fitting and balancing areas, and a layout that mirrors professional service centres. The fit-out will also include three flexible classrooms with AV technology, modern all-gender amenities, dedicated office spaces, and ample parking for staff and learners.

Interior fit-out work is expected to be completed within the coming months, with the facility ready to welcome learners studying Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology in Semester 1 of 2026.

“Today’s announcement represents a positive step forward for TasTAFE’s automotive training in Tasmania,” said TasTAFE Interim CEO, Will McShane. “It reflects a commitment to innovation and industry collaboration, ensuring we equip our learners with the best possible skills and opportunities to build successful careers.”

More Than Just a Workshop

For TACC, the new facility represents something deeper—a commitment to building Tasmania’s automotive future. TACC CEO Peter Jones emphasised the broader significance of the investment.

“Apprentices need certainty, employers need confidence, and Tasmania needs skilled technicians to keep the state moving. Securing Cherokee Drive is a major step forward, and a strong outcome for industry and training in the south of the state,” Jones said.

“Automotive is not just another sector—it is essential to Tasmania’s economy. Nothing moves without skilled automotive technicians, and this facility will keep the skills pipeline alive.”

Jones also highlighted the philosophical importance of investing in training. “TACC has always believed that skills are built, not borrowed. That is why investing in training matters. Apprentices are not just learning today’s technology; they are the people who will own the workshops of tomorrow.”

Expanding the Vocational Offering

Beyond the initial Certificate III program, the Cambridge facility will host additional vocational education and training courses throughout 2026. These will include motorcycle, mobile plant machinery, heavy vehicle, outdoor power equipment, automotive electrical, and electric and hybrid vehicle technology qualifications.

Industry Unity Made This Possible

The delivery of this facility showcases what collaborative action can achieve in Tasmania’s automotive sector.

TACC and TasTAFE acknowledge the strong collaboration that made this solution possible:

  • Minister for Skills and Workforce Growth Felix Ellis, his office and staff, for championing skills development and supporting the project
  • Clarence City Council and Planning Minister Kerry Vincent, for facilitating the approvals and supporting the initiative
  • Skills Tasmania, for their ongoing collaboration on workforce development in the automotive sector
  • The Stewart Family, for rapidly making the Cherokee Drive premises available
  • Training equipment suppliers, for prioritising Tasmania’s needs and delivering industry-standard facilities
  • Automotive employers in the south, for their resilience and ongoing support of apprentices
  • TasTAFE automotive teaching teams across the north and south, for adapting under pressure and maintaining educational excellence
  • Tasmania’s automotive apprentices, for their patience, commitment, and determination throughout the transition

The Infrastructure Details

The Cambridge facility has been designed with operational efficiency and safety at its core. It features:

  • Automotive Workshop: Industry-standard space with seven hoists, including a four-post hoist for wheel alignment, tyre fitting and balancing areas, and a layout that mirrors professional service centres
  • Teaching Spaces: Three flexible classrooms equipped with AV technology and adaptable furniture for varied teaching styles
  • Amenities: Modern, all-gender facilities, student and staff breakout areas with kitchenettes, and dedicated office space
  • Storage: Mezzanine-level storage and secure containment for flammables and hazardous materials
  • Safety and Accessibility: Clear pedestrian and vehicle access, 47 parking spaces, and a site layout designed for operational efficiency and safety

This facility represents not just a recovery from the 2024 floods, but a strategic investment in Tasmania’s automotive future—one that will keep the state’s essential skills pipeline flowing for years to come.

For more information about apprenticeship opportunities in automotive trades, visit TasTAFE or contact the Tasmanian Automotive Chamber of Commerce.