Government defends decision to move automotive training to Manufacturing Skills Australia instead of creating a new organisation
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has defended its decision to move automotive training to Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA) instead of creating a new organisation made up exclusively of automotive stakeholders.
In information released by the department to ATN, the government does not believe there will be any negative impact on training for the industry, but instead the quality and relevance of the automotive industry training package will in fact improve.
The DEEWR also says it made the decision to move automotive training to MSA after “a round of meetings with key stakeholders from within the automotive sector”, despite the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) telling ATN last week the decision did not have the backing of these very groups.
The DEEWR also says there are a number of existing “synergies” between MSA and the automotive industries, which contributed to the decision, including the fact MSA already covers vehicle component manufacturing.
The VACC remains adamant that the training of all automotive apprentices who will go on to ensure driver safety would be better carried out by a different association.
A spokesman for the VACC says numerous letters have been sent to Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Julia Gillard requesting meetings to discuss the issue.
The DEEWR says is will continue to meet with representatives of the automotive industry.