Automotive Centre of Excellence Opens
13 September 2006
The first stage of the new, multi-million dollar Automotive Centre of Excellence at Docklands was today opened by the Hon. Lynne Kosky, MP, Minister for Education and Training.
The Centre incorporates Victoria's largest automotive training provider, Kangan Batman TAFE, and currently houses the vehicle body trades-automotive refinishing, panel beating and body making.
Speaking at the event, Kangan Batman TAFE Chief Executive Ray Griffiths thanked the Victorian government for its support.
'What you see here today is a result of an ongoing collaboration between a forward thinking state government and a leading TAFE institute,' he said.
Mr Griffiths also welcomed automotive industry organisations like the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC), PPG, Wurth and Repco, who became partners in the Automotive Centre of Excellence development after the Victorian government's $20.5 million contribution to the project.
'The synergy between the Automotive Centre of Excellence and these organisations is based on our shared values and common beliefs in the future of the automotive industry in Australia,' Mr Griffiths said. 'The people behind these organisations have understood the vision and the future direction of automotive training.'
The Automotive Centre of Excellence also received a 5 Star Green Star from the Green Building Council of Australia, making it one of only five rated buildings in Australia and the first educational institution granted the five star rating.
When all three stages of development are complete, the Automotive Centre of Excellence will house all of Kangan Batman TAFE's automotive training, research and development facilities shared with other educational institutions, conference facilities, an auditorium and multi-deck car park.
Anne-Marie Corboy, President of the Kangan Batman TAFE Board, said, 'We're not just celebrating the completion of stage one of the Automotive Centre of Excellence, but what it aims to do-attract and deliver skilled automotive technicians for the future.'
