Transport electrification needs workforce reskilling, and fast

Australia is gearing up for a significant shift towards electrified vehicles and it’s not just about swapping out petrol and diesel for batteries – it’s about ensuring the workforce is ready for the changes ahead. 

The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) – the peak body representing independent skills training, higher education, and international education providers – is sounding the alarm.

In a recent submission to a federal parliamentary enquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Water regarding the transition to electric vehicles, it urged for a comprehensive workforce strategy to prepare workers for the significant shifts in job roles and skill requirements that are looming over the automotive sector as combustion-powered vehicles are phased out.

While a National Electric Vehicle Strategy exists, providing a framework for emissions reduction and EV adoption, ITECA has identified a gap in the strategy concerning workforce development and is calling for a strategic approach to meet the sector’s need for additional training.

ITECA chief executive Troy Williams highlighted the importance of upskilling the workforce in the auto sector to cope with these changes and made clear the need for collaboration to meet the evolving needs of the workforce.

“As the industry shifts, new roles such as EV repair technicians, battery specialists, and software engineers for vehicle management systems are becoming increasingly important,” he said, emphasising the necessity for robust training programmes to equip the existing workforce with the skills needed for electric drivetrains, battery systems, and charging infrastructure.

ITECA spotlighted the magnitude of the task at hand, pointing out that approximately 157,500 people are employed in automotive repair and maintenance across Australia, according to data from Jobs and Skills Australia.

To tackle this challenge, ITECA is advocating a strategic approach that leverages the strengths of both public TAFE colleges and independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that Mr Williams said “support around 45.4 per cent of students in the automotive industry”. 

ITECA also pointed out the importance of addressing training needs across remote, rural, and regional Australia.

“The reskilling and upskilling of Australia’s workforce to manage the transition to electric vehicles is a national challenge,” stressed Mr Williams, underscoring the significance of supporting the electrified vehicle service and repair sector countrywide.

As Australia moves towards adopting ever more electrified vehicles, a coordinated and strategic approach to workforce development will be crucial to ensuring the automotive sector can effectively adapt to the changing landscape and capitalise on opportunities in automotive service and repair.