The Australian government is trying to entice people to get electric vehicle maintenance and repair training with up to $10,000 in financial support. Apart from the funding boost, it also pivoted from the prior strict criteria apprentice mechanics originally needed to meet under the New Energy Apprenticeships Program.
Updated New Energy Apprenticeships Program
Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen officially declared the major changes on Friday, Drive reports.
Under the updated New Energy Apprenticeships Program, automotive apprentices will gain $10,000 each from July 1 if they meet the following criteria:
- the workshop they are employed in works on electric vehicles (EVs)
- the workshop has the tools to do so
- someone in the workshop is already trained in how to deal with them
“This $10,000 in support will help encourage prospective apprentices to look to the automotive sector as an industry with long-term employment prospects supporting Australia’s net zero ambitions.
This is a critical time for the sector, with new technology coming to market it is important that Australia has a well-trained workforce to service, repair and maintain electric vehicle.”
James Voortman, Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) CEO
Prior stringent requirements discouraged apprentices
The Australian government originally imposed stringent criteria for apprentices to benefit from the $10,000 financial support.
For instance, it had mandated that at least 80% of the cars the business handled must be electric. This extremely high rate is almost impossible to reach, considering Australia’s rather low electric vehicle uptake today.
In addition, the government also eliminated the requirement that the study be “solely dedicated to clean energy.”
“The changes to this scheme which remove a requirement that an apprentice’s work be solely dedicated to clean energy, is a welcome recognition that along with servicing and repairing new technologies such as EVs and hybrids, automotive technicians will continue to provide services for traditional vehicles well into the future.”
James Voortman, Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) CEO
Industry’s response
Automotive industry groups welcomed the changes to the New Energy Apprenticeships Program on Friday. Some of them even said that the NEAP would substantially alleviate the growing skills shortage.
According to AADA CEO James Voortman, the updated scheme will help the government solve the skills shortage in the auto industry, which is estimated to be over 40,000 workers.
In that sense, it will help equip mechanics with sufficient knowledge and skills to deal with the increasing number of low-emission vehicles on the roads.
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries CEO Tony Weber also noted that such an initiative for EV mechanics could boost customers’ confidence in the technology. However, Motor Trades Association of Australia CEO Matt Hobbs contends that the government must still expand the scheme’s eligibility to raise the numbers of future workers in various roles necessary to the electric vehicle industry, including panel beaters and motorcycle technicians.
“We are pleased the government is listening but note there is more to be done. We look forward to continuing the discussion with the government on the important role the automotive industry can play in the transition of the economy to a low-emission future.”
Motor Trades Association of Australia CEO Matt Hobbs
Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor outlined that apart from EV maintenance, the scheme also supports apprentices training on hydroelectricity, solar, and battery installations.
“We must do all we can to supercharge our efforts to address climate change, as well as address the acute skills shortages we face to rewire the nation.”
Brendan O’Connor, Skills and Training Minister
The New Energy Apprentices Program has already registered over 2,200 participants since its launch in January 2023.
