Media release – Australian Education Union, 7 March 2025
TasTAFE shock plans to gut Hobart Automotive trade training
TasTAFE has shock plans to gut automotive training in the south of Tasmania, proposing to axe half of the teaching team and force apprentices to travel to Launceston to complete the majority of their training, sparking concerns about safety and trade shortages from the automotive industry.
The training that remains in the south, will move towards ‘in class’ theoretical learning rather than hands-on workshop training, leading to poorer outcomes for students.
Automotive teachers, apprentices and industry leaders have slammed the proposal and called on the Minister for Skills and training, Felix Ellis, to urgently intervene and prevent the axing of training and jobs in the south.
The safety concerns are on multiple fronts – for the young apprentices forced to travel, overcrowded classes and ultimately for customers as a result apprentices receiving lesser quality training.
Leonie Vellar from Bishop Auto Electrics, whose concerns are shared by TasTAFE Automotive teachers and apprentices alike, said it will not be possible for apprentices to learn or be properly assessed under the proposed model as overcrowding of classes in Launceston means apprentices won’t get the right training.
“They’re not going to have enough one-on-one time learning with a teacher if they don’t understand something,” Ms Vellar said.
“There are many car accidents and car-related issues each year and then you want the people who fix your car to not be trained properly,” she said.
“If you combine the Hobart and Launceston cohorts, what’s the quality of learning going to be like when they’ve got overcrowded classes? I’m really concerned about the safety. We’re talking about car repairs here.”
A TasTAFE automotive teacher, who requested to remain anonymous, said: “The ones who are going to suffer are the apprentices.”
“I’ve promised these kids’ parents that I’ll look after them. Some of our apprentices are incredibly vulnerable. I worry about having to face their parents if something happens to them,” said the teacher.
In December last year the basement of the Campbell St campus – which housed the automotive workshop – was flooded.
David Genford, AEU Tasmania President, said: “It’s clear that TasTAFE are using this flood as an excuse to cut training and jobs in the south.”
“TasTAFE has not seriously looked at alternative solutions or sites and if the Minister was serious about keeping skilled teachers and high-quality training in the south he would find a local solution,” said Mr Genford.
Brodie Cooper, an apprentice at Bishop Auto Electrics, is one of many TasTAFE students who spoke to the AEU with concerns about potentially having to drop out of his apprenticeship because of the proposed change.
“Travelling is just not an option for somebody that has children,” said Mr Cooper.
“I’d be away from my partner and kids. Both my partner and I work. I’m the only one who drives, so she would need to find an alternative to get to work, and an alternative to get the kids to and from daycare, and then the kids’ bedtime routines – which I’m very involved in – would have to change. There’d be a huge impact on my kids.”
“I’m also being told I’ll finish my apprenticeship late because of this, and once my trade support payments stop I don’t know if I’m going to be able to pay essential bills,” he said.
A Hobart-based auto dealer, who requested to remain anonymous, said: “This will be a blow to industry for certain. I have two apprentices and neither of them will be able to travel to Launceston – they’ll have no choice but to drop out if this goes ahead.”
The news came as another bombshell for the automotive team at Campbell Street, who had already faced carbon monoxide poisoning and dangerous work conditions before last year’s floods.
“It’s an absolute kick in the guts,” said an automotive teacher at TasTAFE who requested to remain anonymous. “I feel blindsided. After the flooding, were told our jobs were safe. It’s insult on injury.”
Mr Genford said: “The Tasmanian Government have been neglecting and underfunding TAFE for years.”
“The Government’s negligence has caused this series of disasters and now the Minister needs to take responsibility for the mess,” he said.
“Teachers, apprentices and industry experts are united on this – the Government must intervene and ensure all Automotive training delivery continues in the south and teaching jobs are protected.”
Media release – Tabatha Badger MP, Greens Skills and Training Spokesperson, 8 March 2025
Urgent updated needed on TasTAFE review
The Greens are calling on the Liberal Government to provide an urgent update on the statutory TasTAFE review, following news TAFE is cutting jobs in southern Tasmania.
It is disappointing that the Liberals have dropped the ball on TasTAFE. TAFE is so important to the state – in providing opportunities for people, supporting industry, and contributing to the economy.
The Greens have consistently raised concerns about the impact of TasTAFE’s Automotive training facility in Campbell Street being closed until 2026. The Government should be investing in providing an alternative training facility – or better yet finally developing an Automotive Centre of Excellence with EV training courses. Instead, they’re cutting jobs and forcing some apprentices to travel to Launceston.
The Liberals previously promised 100 extra TAFE teachers but that promise seems to have been let slip. It’s crucial that we are talking about hiring additional teachers, and not just replacing those who have left.
With so many important – and concerning – developments happening with TasTAFE, we want to know where the legislatively required review of the organisation is. There is no excuse for it to be late, but the Liberals haven’t even tried to explain where it is.
With job cuts already underway, and this week’s news of cuts to public service jobs and privatisation of Government Businesses, there is significant uncertainty for TasTAFE – which is uniquely positioned as a not for profit Government Business, rather than a GBE.
The Liberal Government must not make any decisions on the future of TasTAFE until the statutory review has been completed.
