Local automotive students will now have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in modern technologies, with Bundaberg Regional Council donating an electric vehicle to TAFE Queensland’s Bundaberg campus.
The 10-year-old Mitsubishi I-MIEV was delivered to the campus last week and will be used alongside a hybrid Toyota Prius donated by industry last year to skill apprentices studying the Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology in how to work with late model electric vehicles.
TAFE Queensland General Manager (East Coast) Ana Rodger said the Council’s donations over the years had been highly beneficial for students.
“TAFE Queensland works closely with local industry to ensure our students have the best learning opportunities available to them,” Ms Rodger said.
“Bundaberg Regional Council has proven to be a fantastic supporter of TAFE Queensland over the years, donating several vehicles to our local campus. This includes a fire-damaged prime mover that they donated in 2018 for use in our diesel fitting qualifications.
“The donation of this particular vehicle is incredibly valuable for our apprentices and international automotive students, as it will enable them to be trained using the latest technology in their field.
“Using this vehicle as a reference, students will learn how to depower and reinitialise electrical systems, service and maintain components, and diagnose and repair high voltage rechargeable energy storage systems, which given the growing popularity of electrical vehicles will be a valuable skill set to have in the future.”
Bundaberg Regional Council’s Environment portfolio spokesperson, Cr Wayne Honor said Council was happy to support TAFE Queensland.
“Council is very supportive of the work that TAFE Queensland does and the donation of this electric vehicle will be invaluable in teaching students practical skills,” Cr Honor said.
“We know the plant and vehicles we have donated in the past have been put to very good use.
“As the use of electric vehicles is growing steadily, Council was pleased to be able to donate the Mitsubishi I-MIEV to teach students about this latest technology.
“Council is pleased to provide this service to the local TAFE Queensland campus, which provides benefits for our community and Council in the provision of skilled mechanics.”
For more information on TAFE Queensland’s automotive courses, call 1300 308 233 or visit tafeqld.edu.au, and see where TAFE can take you.
Re TAFE’s EVehicle from Council
Good to see the article in the Bundaberg Regional News about the donated electric vehicle.
Apart from learning repair typical for such vehicles, is there a person at the TAFE who can teach design and construction of similar vehicles for Australian conditions?
The COVID scare may provide incentive for Australians to prove they are better managers than those they assisted overseas in setting up an Australian made EVehicle manufacturing plant.
TAFE Queensland does not offer courses specifically in the manufacturing of vehicles at the Bundaberg campus; however they do offer qualifications in engineering in Bundaberg, which depending on your specialisation, allow students to develop skills in the design, assembly, manufacture, installation, modification, testing, fault finding, commissioning, maintenance and service of equipment and machinery (eg. Certificate IV in Engineering). TAFE Queensland does offer a Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing at its SkillsTech campus in Acacia Ridge as well; however this particular course is only available at that campus at this point in time.
For more information about what options are available and how TAFE Queensland can help you find the right path, please call 1300 308 233.
Wow, It is so great to see Bundaberg Council helping out TAFE students for a possible career in the local auto repair industry.
Bundaberg Council could help the local auto industry even more if they chose to buy their vehicle parts locally, Australian even, instead of choosing to support American owned REPCO
Wow, It is so great to see Bundaberg Council helping out TAFE students for a possible career in the local auto repair industry.