TAFE’s expo learning curve

The 20th Biennial TAFE Vehicle Body Teachers Conference 2011 will take place at the Collision Repair Expo with the theme “Keeping Ahead of Change”.

The conference brings together TAFE automotive body trade teachers from all states along with the national automotive industry training board and the broader automotive repair industry to share information related to training for the future.

It was decided to align the bi-annual conference with the Collision Repair Expo to start a new chapter in the history of a conference that began some 40 years ago in Canberra. It was the brainchild of the legendary Don Waite, who was the TAFE director of trades in NSW at the time.

The intention was to foster national consistency in technical education, training and assessment through collaboration. The committee that pulled the first conference together believed that this training consistency could be brought about by sharing curricula, teaching and assessment resources while developing closer relationships with each state and the broader automotive industry nationally.

This committee’s initial aims are now the cornerstone of the National Training Reform Agenda, developed by the National Training Authority.

The relationships and goodwill established between teachers and administrators at these conferences in the mid-1900s enabled the speedy and successful development of national curricula in panel beating and vehicle painting and the development of the learning and assessment resources for both of these courses.

Fresh for this year’s conference is the ability to use the resources and expertise of Collision Repair Expo exhibitors to keep teachers up to date with today’s newest technologies to keep delegates “ahead of change”.

Several presentations and demonstrations will take place exclusively for the delegates at the Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) Kangan Institute at Docklands from Tuesday, 10 May.

These presentations range from sharing training and assessment practices from each institute, to demonstrations of the latest training resources available to the delegates. A demonstration from Tony Vowles of Airbrush Venturi will be a highlight, as he showcases his unique way of teaching airbrush skills.

A number of key industry players have already committed to sponsor the conference. DuPont Performance Coatings is the principal sponsor, Car-O-Liner and DeBeer Refinish are also lending their support. “Without our sponsors over the years, our conference would die,” Morgan Ison, this year’s conference coordinator, said.

Information from Morgan Ison at info@btvbtc.com.au or 04396 72994.