Automotive Centre of Excellence Launched to Industry
23 November 2005
Minister for Manufacturing and Export, Small Business and the Financial Services Industry, the Hon. Andre Haermeyer speaks at the ACE Launch.
Channel 10 presenter Bill Woods speaks at the ACE launch.
Victoria's largest automotive training provider, Kangan Batman TAFE, launched the Automotive Centre of Excellence vision to almost 100 industry and government representatives yesterday.
The launch was held at the Dockland's Fox Classic Car Collection, where Stage One of the Automotive Centre of Excellence construction site is visible.
Only a few weeks ago the structural framework of the building, namely the concrete and steel structures, was completed.
The event's special guest was the Minister for Manufacturing and Export, Small Business and the Financial Services Industry, the Hon. Andre Haermeyer.
Bill Woods, motorsport anchor and host of Channel 10's RPM, was the MC for the event.
Kangan Batman TAFE CEO Ray Griffiths said the ACE will have a holistic approach to automotive, because it will bring together high-quality education and training, research and development in the one facility.
'We look forward to Kangan Batman TAFE becoming an industry partner and an integral part of the value chain to improve the competitiveness of the automotive industry,' Mr Griffiths said. 'The most important thing to remember is that the ACE is designed with industry, for industry.
'Our aim is to be accessible to all stakeholders, innovative in our approaches, strengthen the competitiveness of the industry and work collaboratively with our partners to achieve maximum outcomes.'
Minister Haermeyer said 'the full realisation of the ACE vision will require strong backing from all stakeholders and particularly the automotive industry itself'.
The Minister also said the ACE will provide highly skilled tradespeople trained on the most up-to-date technological equipment for the Retail Service and Repair sector of Victoria's automotive industry.
The ACE is an innovative and exciting development that will move all of Kangan Batman TAFE's automotive facilities from the outskirts of Melbourne to the centrally located, Collins Street address.
Subject to funding, the ACE will be built in three stages, the first of which is scheduled for completion in May 2006. Kangan Batman TAFE's vehicle body trades area will be the first to relocate to the Automotive Centre of Excellence once Stage One is complete.
Proposed elements of Stages Two and Three include the Institute's remaining automotive courses, as well as R&D facilities shared with other educational institutions, conference facilities, and an auditorium and multi-deck car park.
But the real 'gem' of these later stages, according to Mr Griffiths, is the possibility of incorporating an 'industry centre' which could house key industry associations like the Automotive CRC.
For more information on the ACE development, visit www.kangan.edu.au/ace
Media Kit is available.
