The State Government has delivered a $21.3 million upgrade to North Metropolitan TAFE's Joondalup campus, adding an Electric Automotive Vehicle Training Centre to deliver clean energy skills training in Perth's northern suburbs.
Premier Roger Cook and Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk today officially opened the new vocational training centre at the Joondalup Learning Precinct and met with students undertaking training to maintain electric and hybrid vehicles (EVs).
The State Government is preparing Western Australia for the transition to EVs, with various initiatives underway to support the adoption of EVs as part of the State Electric Vehicle Strategy for Western Australia.
The new state-of-the-art centre will provide a hub for people to train in EV technologies, helping to develop the next generation of automotive workers to service vehicles that are key to WA's clean energy future.
Designed by Hunt Architects and built by McCorkell Constructions WA, the new facility features an expansive automotive workshop with space for up to nine vehicles and three technical labs equipped with modern training systems and automotive accessories.
The $21.3 million capital works investment includes $1.5 million in new industry-standard training equipment including EVs, car hoists, diagnostics and simulator training systems.
More than 100 students are expected to benefit from the new facility each semester, with skill set courses offered in battery and hybrid electric vehicles, enabling automotive professionals to upskill so they can inspect, diagnose and service battery and hybrid electric vehicles.
The building also houses specialist training facilities for technological innovations in the horticulture industry, complementing an adjacent horticulture workshop that was completed in 2021.
New computer training rooms, a robotics laboratory, office space and a conference room are located on the centre's upper level, along with an environmental biodiversity laboratory to support the use of drones and precision irrigation in horticulture.
The Electric Automotive Vehicle Training Centre is part of the State Government's record $250 million investment in new and upgraded infrastructure at WA TAFE colleges to ensure they have ongoing capacity to deliver world-class, industry-standard training.
There were 153,800 publicly-funded vocational course enrolments in WA last year, driven by strong uptake in the State Government's fee-free and low-fee courses, with high demand continuing in 2024.
Premier Roger Cook said, "WA's clean energy transition offers a range of exciting opportunities for Western Australians to pursue careers and take up quality local jobs of the future."
"We're already seeing significant growth in the EV market, which in turn is increasing demand for trained EV automotive workers."
"These workers will be crucial to ensuring electric and hybrid vehicles remain reliable, efficient and safe over time."
"My Government's investment in this new Electric Automotive Vehicle Training Centre positions North Metropolitan TAFE at the forefront of EV technology training, and is key to our broader efforts to build the skilled workforce needed for WA's clean energy transition."
Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk added, "New and emerging technologies in the automotive industry, aligned with the global transition to net zero, are changing the skills required by its future workforce - and the training we are delivering through TAFE."
"The clean energy sector offers exciting, well-paying and long-lasting jobs, and the great news is that many of these jobs will build on the existing skills of professionals already working in the industries such as the automotive sector."
"This new facility is part of our Government's quarter of a billion dollar investment in TAFE colleges, which along with our fee-free and low-fee initiatives is helping to get record numbers of West Aussies into training."
Joondalup MLA Emily Hamilton noted, "The new Electric Automotive Vehicle Training Centre, here in the heart of Joondalup's Learning Precinct, is a fantastic addition to North Metropolitan TAFE's Joondalup campus."
"This modern facility will enable automotive professionals throughout Perth to gain the skills they need to take up rewarding jobs in the clean energy workforce."
