Australian Education Union says TasTAFE plans to axe automotive course in Hobart

Getting a mechanic in Southern Tasmania could get a whole lot harder as an automotive course could be scrapped in Hobart.

TasTAFE automotive apprentice Brodie Cooper and Bishop Auto Electrics Owner Leonie Vellar. Picture: Simon McGuire.

Motoring businesses fear a shortage of qualified mechanics in the state’s South will get worse after TasTAFE confirmed it been forced to cut staff from it’s southern training course.

The changes will force some apprentices to travel to Launceston to complete their training.

TasTAFE confirmed it had offered voluntary redundancies to automotive teaching staff in Hobart, but did not indicate whether it would have long-term impacts on its southern training course – saying it was “fully committed to identifying a long-term solution”.

The Australian Education Union (AEU) says half of the training team in the south of the state will be axed.

Those within the Tasmanian automotive industry are concerns that if the course were to be cut, it would result in fewer mechanics in a sector that has already been decimated by staff shortages.

Student and apprentice Brodie Cooper said if he had to travel to Launceston he would consider dropping out.

“It’s hard enough as it is with the current classroom and the current staff to get hands-on experience,” Mr Cooper said.

“And now that they’re thinking of going to Launceston, which is also already overrun, there’s not going to be enough hands-on experience.”

Bishop Auto Electrics is where Mr Cooper is completing his apprenticeship. Owner Leonie Vellar describing the situation was “absolutely ridiculous.”

“If there is a staff shortage with my business, we’re going to be booked out for weeks and weeks and weeks,” Ms Vellar said.

“We’re auto-electrical, so your car won’t start or run without us.

“So if you get up one morning to go to work, your car doesn’t start and we go ‘we can’t get you in for two months’ – how are you getting to work for the next two months.”

TasTAFE said the changes were necessary after two incidents at the Hobart workshop.

In November, two students and a teacher were taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital after elevated levels of carbon monoxide were detected in the TasTAFE automotive workshop.

TasTAFE automotive teachers from the Hobart campus. Picture: Simon McGuire.

About a week later, the same workshop had extensive flood damage after a water main burst.

“As a result of the severity of the damage, TasTAFE is unable to deliver on-campus training at this location, with insurance assessors advising that the facility will not be operational until 2026,” a TasTAFE spokesperson said.

“This disruption has affected scheduled automotive training in Hobart due to the lack of a suitable training space and equipment for apprentice learning.”

In the meantime, TasTAFE said automotive courses would be delivered at the Regional Training Centres at Bridgewater and Huonville and its Alanvale campus in Launceston.

“A small number of apprentices, due to specific equipment requirements, will continue their training at the Alanvale campus for the remainder of 2025. TasTAFE has been communicating with employers of affected apprentices on the changes.

“TasTAFE has rapidly engaged with key stakeholders in trying to seek alternate training sites, and we have also developed a hybrid training model to continue to provide training to apprentices where possible, incorporating both physical and digital infrastructure.”

TasTAFE said there was now insufficient work for automotive teachers.

“TasTAFE has entered into discussions with automotive teachers, and a voluntary redundancy process has been offered to them.”

Campbell Street TasTAFE campus in Hobart.

Originally published as Australian Education Union says TasTAFE plans to axe automotive course in Hobart