CDU responds as Motor Trades slams Territory Tafe trade training
A peak industry body has gone public with concerns about trade training in the Territory as they call on the next government for financial support. Now the tafe providing training has responded.
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Charles Darwin University has responded to a call by the automotive trades industry to improve the quality of trade training delivered at CDU Tafe.
CDU pro-vice chancellor Tafe Michael Hamilton said the institution had moved to rebuild automotive training over the past two years in consultation with the Motor Trades Association.
The NT News reported on Tuesday the Motor Trades Association had called for CDU Tafe to improve its trade school training practices to meet the demands of the industry.
In reply, Mr Hamilton said CDU had taken action to rebuild the automotive portfolio over the previous 18 months based on industry feedback.
He said the changes were done in consultation with industry and presented to Motor Trades Association representatives at a member’s meetings.
“It included an event hosted at CDU Casuarina campus where the members were able to view the various training workshops,” he said.
“The industry response to these changes has been positive.
“There has been some necessary minor disruption to classes during this process, with employers and students notified. No further disruptions to training are anticipated as all quality assurance and legislative processes have been completed.
“To date, CDU Tafe have upgraded resources and infrastructure for 56 individual units across six automotive qualifications. These resources include our learning materials, and assessment tasks suitable for our new infrastructure.
“The upgrades are also consistent with other Tafe providers across Australia, which will ensure consistent outcomes for apprentices are achieved across the nation.
“In respond to the MTA’s wish list, CDU Tafe welcome industry and NT government to view automotive training at Casuarina and Alice Springs campuses to see the vast improvements already achieved for Northern Territory students since CDU Tafe was introduced in February 2023.
“Whilst any additional funding is always welcome, CDU Tafe has no immediate plans to request increased funding or changes to how the funding is achieved.
“CDU Tafe continues to expand offerings in alignment with industry demand. We look forward to providing nation leading training in automotive industries, including electric vehicles, marine technology, and motorcycle technology, which have all recently been applied for through the VET regulator, Australian Skills Quality Authority.”
Financial support and better trades training: Motor industry’s election wishlist
The peak NT body for the automotive trades industry has called for better trade skills training at CDU Tafe.
In a pre-election wishlist to be sent to all candidates contesting the August 24 poll, the Motor Trades Association said CDU’s fledgling TAFE, which opened its doors in February 2023, was failing to deliver what the industry needed.
“MTA members rely on high quality vocational education and training delivered to apprentices to meet current and future skills needs of the Northern Territory automotive industry,” the submission said.
“In the Northern Territory, CDU Tafe is the sole training provider for the automotive industry, used by hundreds of local businesses and apprentices. In recent years, it has come to the MTA’s attention through member feedback that the quality of automotive vocational education and training delivered at CDU is not meeting business or apprentice requirements.
“Feedback has ranged from the content and delivery of training and assessment, through to apprentice scheduling and communication with business in the automotive industry.
“The MTA is calling on the next NT government to conduct an internal review of the delivery of automotive vocational education and training at CDU Tafe to maximise apprentice learning and business productivity.
“The MTA also supports incentivising additional funding opportunities to CDU Tafe which are linked to performance-based outcomes of benefit to apprentices and the automotive business community.”
A response has been sought from CDU.
The 18-page MTA wishlist also seeks action around industry transformation, skills and training, business costs and taxation and calls for legislative changes including the appointment of an NT small business commissioner to provide independent advocacy on issues such as rents, utilities, supply and wages and the introduction of a speed limit when passing emergency, roadside and towing vehicles.
The MTA’s wants a two-year, $500,000 electric vehicle tools, technology and training program, $2.2m over four years to encourage zero and low emission vehicle sales and $250,000 to fund a school pathways program.
It is calling on the next NT government to implement a $450,000 training subsidy program over two years to train mature age apprentices and an increase in the annual payroll tax wage threshold from $1.5m to $2.5m – a commitment made by the CLP.
It wants the BizSecure business security assistance program doubled to $30,000, a 30 per cent reduction in motor vehicle registration for the duration of the apprenticeship and the exemption of apprentice wages from payroll tax.
It wants a Small Business Commissioner to provide independent advocacy for small businesses on issues such as rents, utilities, supply and wages.
Motor Trades Association chief executive Darrell Jacobs said the industry was in a period of rapid transition.
“Businesses need to be prepared for whatever vehicle enters the workshop,” he said.
“That is why we have recommended financial support for reskilling, charging infrastructure and updated tooling,” Mr Jacobs said.
“We also know that Territorians love their utes and 4X4s and that is why the MTA recommends incentives for hybrid and plug-in hybrids given the high cost of fully electric variants.”
According to the MTA, the motor industry is worth $511m to the NT economy, with the association’s 114 NT members employing 857 people.
In 2023, the Territory’s top five selling vehicles were Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Toyota Prado, Isuzu D-Max and Toyota RAV4.
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