RACQ patrols among first electric vehicle apprentices
The art of depowering an electric vehicle (EV) is just one of the many skills RACQ Technicians Dan Catsoulis and Luke Ashmore will learn as part of their TAFE Queensland EV apprenticeship.
The pair will join the inaugural cohort of apprentices undertaking TAFE Queensland’s new EV skills program, equipping them to meet the demands of an increasingly electrified transport industry.
RACQ General Manager Assistance Automotive and Solar Mark Boswell emphasized the importance of upskilling the Club’s workforce with new EV sales in Queensland surging by 177% in 2023 compared to 2022*.
“We want to be there for our members no matter what they drive and that means our patrols and mechanics must possess the skills to service electric vehicles, especially as we grow our fleet of EVs too,” Mr Boswell said.
“TAFE Queensland’s EV Apprenticeship is nationally recognised and will teach our people to safely and efficiently service and maintain EVs.
“It’s an investment in our people and an investment in our ability to keep Queenslanders moving as our state transitions to low-emissions transport.”
TAFE Queensland EV apprentice and RACQ Technician Daniel Catsoulis said it’s a great opportunity to upskill.
“It’s a big change with electric motors compared to internal combustion engines, so we’ve got complete drive line differences which is a new ball game for us,” Mr Catsoulis said.
“It’s career development, it allows me to be dual trade as I’m already a light vehicle mechanic and as everything is changing, we need to be across the industry.”
Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum MP said with the massive uptake of electric vehicles on our roads, Queensland needs people who are trained and able to service them.
“We’ve got a zero-emissions vehicle strategy here in Queensland that’s going to see at least 50% of all new passenger vehicles be zero emissions vehicles by 2030 and that’s where the job opportunities come for people who are qualified electric vehicles mechanics,” Minister McCallum said.
“We’ve been working at making sure there are these training and skilling pathways for Queenslanders to get into rapidly growing industries like electric vehicles and renewables. There’s an enormous amount of opportunity when it comes to the clean energy industry…and we want to get Queenslanders skilled and qualified as quickly as possible to take up these good jobs.”
The Queensland Government is supporting a range of tuition-free and subsidised training in 2024, including fee-free TAFE and free apprenticeships for under 25-year-olds.
For more information about TAFE Queensland's Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology and other training programs, visit TAFE Queensland.
*Data source: AAA EV Index