The Andrews Labor Government has secured a fleet of hybrid and electric vehicles for SuniTAFE, to ensure automotive apprentices in Swan Hill and Mildura have the skills they need for Victoria’s clean energy future.

Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today announced a $1.18 million investment to buy a range of next generation vehicles including trucks and passenger cars for trade workshops at SuniTAFE’s Swan Hill and Mildura campuses.

The new equipment will allow apprentices to learn their craft within their own community, rather than travelling to Melbourne for specialised training.

The Labor Government’s investment also supports growing student demand for automotive retail, service and repair courses at SuniTAFE, which is helping meet skills demands in the Mallee region.

The project will support Victoria’s transition to a Zero Emission Fleet, including public transport, by developing reliable and affordable technology, strengthening the grid, exploring batteries and storage, creating a public data-repository and rolling out public awareness campaigns.

Victoria’s transport sector accounts for 25 per cent of the state’s emissions, which is why the Labor Government has rolled out a Zero Emissions Vehicle Roadmap, including development of a zero-emission public bus fleet by 2025 and having half of all new car sales zero emission by 2030.

The investment is part of the Labor Government’s $12 million TAFE Equipment and Facilities Fund, announced in the Victorian Budget 2020/21, and overseen by Apprenticeships Victoria.

Since 2014, the Labor Government has made a record $3.2 billion investment to rebuild TAFE and support universities and higher education to ensure Victorians have access to high quality education and rewarding careers.