Partnerships: Automotive partnership in Sydney's Heartland
Presentation by Michael Cochrane, Head Teacher Automotive, Western Sydney Institute
Beginings
Not being afraid to have a go enabled TAFE professionals to bring it all together.
Teachers in the automotive section at Blacktown College established a partnership with the Heartland Holden group to meet the present and future staffing needs of Heartland Holden.
Heartland Holden wanted changes to the existing TAFE training it was receiving. They needed tailored courses, delivered on time, and resulting in quality technicians. Heartland Holden’s commitment and determination to get the outcomes from training provided the foundation of the partnership.
The partnership was further supported by the willingness of Automotive at Blacktown College’s to rethink how they were doing things. The support of the Institute was critical as was the introduction of a new training package with greater flexibility.The hard work of the curriculum centre ensured that the Training Package could be used to develop the necessary training support required.
Training is delivered at the College and on site at the Heartland Holden Head Office and their dealerships across Western Sydney. TAFE teachers deliver a broad range of underpinning knowledge and skills to the students allowing the industry trainer to concentrate on specific product knowledge in the workplace.
The partnership encompasses professional development. Heartland Holden has employed an Apprentice Training Co-ordinator trained by TAFE, and TAFE teachers are trained on new tools and work practices by Heartland Holden.
Greater flexible delivery modes mean apprentices now spend less time off the job, resulting in better productivity for the company and quicker skills acquisition. Teachers report that a high standard of training outcomes is being achieved. Heartland Holden can now better match training with job requirements for each apprentice.
Flexibility requires units delivered in skill sets; the development of capacity to assess at any stage; regular workplace exchange and visits by TAFE staff; and a dedicated teacher for each class group.
Recognition of Prior Learning acknowledges that industry has many people working without qualification, even though they might be licensed. The Curriculum Centre was able to assist through the Skills Express program.
Heartland Holden are keen to provide a clear training pathway for each of their employees from entry level through to the Diploma of Automotive Technology. If students are enrolled in Certificate III they can exit at anytime, with a qualification recognising their achievement at that point.. “a couple of years ago you would have punted these kids…(they) would have been on the dole”.
Students have been identified to proceed to Certificate IV and the Diploma.
The future
The Automotive Industry Skills Report 2006 called for reduction on time of the periods for apprenticeship; developing, attracting and retaining staff: and the development of active partnerships with training providers to ensure they stay up to date with rapid technological change.
The Heartland Holden partnership means that TAFE is already well positioned to take on this challenge. The next step is to roll the training program out to the wider automotive community, including small employers.
This will not be easy. Answers to many questions have not yet been developed, but the partnership provides a strong foundation.
Trust the employers and what the employers are doing!.... We are really lucky with Heartland.
- Click here to listen to the Session
Further resources
Automotive Training Australia Limited can be contacted at Latrobe University Bundoora Victoria. Their number is (03) 94793480 and they produced the Automotive Industry Skills Report in May 2006.
The Manufacturing, Engineering, Construction and Transport Curriculum Centre of TAFE NSW can be contacted on (02) 9204 4600