The State Government and South Metropolitan TAFE Kwinana have welcomed RAC's donation of its Intellibus, which will help train Western Australia's next generation of automotive workers.
The Intellibus was Australia's first and longest trial of a driverless vehicle, travelling more than 38,000 kilometres across WA, carrying 28,755 passengers.
The vehicle will be a training resource for apprentices, trainees and students studying light automotive trades such as mechanical, electrical and air-conditioning.
It complements the State Government's $25 million investment in new state-of-the-art equipment being rolled out across WA's TAFE network.
The Intellibus will be a valuable tool for students learning how to de-power and re-power electric vehicles, and as an introduction to autonomous vehicle technologies.
WA's clean energy investment pipeline is worth around $200 billion, and projections show the sector is expected to generate around 350,000 jobs from 2025 to 2050.
Under the new National Skills Agreement, the Cook Government has lodged a proposal with the Commonwealth Government to establish a Clean Energy National Centre of Excellence in WA, as it works to position the State at the forefront of the global clean energy transition.
The State Government has significantly reduced course fees for automotive, engineering and mining courses via the Lower Fees, Local Skills and Fee Free initiatives.
For more information, visit www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready
Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development Hannah Beazley said, "The RAC Intellibus trial charted new territory in the automated vehicle space in Australia - now it will help prepare TAFE students with valuable hands-on skills. This donation comes at a time of growing demand for automated vehicle technology in Australia and worldwide. Increasing the number of apprentices training as electricians, engineers, motor mechanics, mechanical fitters, and machinists is vital in ensuring we have the skills needed for WA to reach its target of net zero by 2050. The Cook Government thanks RAC for its generous donation, which will help skill and train the automotive workforce of the future."
