Auto Skills Australia established

Students at Sydney TAFE look on as teacher Mark Harvey works a panel in the workshop.

Auto Skills Australia (ASA) has been established as a wholly owned subsidiary of Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA) and will assume responsibility for the automotive industry’s training advisory arrangements.

“This is an important step forward for the industry and will provide a specialist, national voice on education and training matters in the automotive industry,” ASA board chair Danielle Andrews said.

The ASA board of directors consists of a range of stakeholders including engineering associations, automotive vehicle and truck manufacturers and retailers as well as the truck and trailer, construction, mining, power equipment, marine and bicycle industries.

“It is vital that the industry has one, strong voice when communicating to governments, stakeholders and training providers on matters relating to automotive education,” Andrews said.

“We are proud that all areas of the industry have come together to establish this vital body and we thank the Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans, for his support.”

“Automotive technology is rapidly changing and the industry now has the confidence to move forward and support the development of high quality VET advisory and product services to the industry.”

ASA is working closely with MSA to ensure that it can take over all responsibility for the automotive training packages and their qualifications, namely the Retail Service and Repair (AUR05) and Automotive Manufacturing (AUM08) packages.

ASA will have a national focus with an office in Melbourne. It is currently recruiting for a chief executive officer.

For more information, visit Auto Skills Australia or www.mskills.com.au