Friday, 28 June 2019

The Andrews Labor Government is supporting a new partnership between SEA Electric and TAFE Gippsland, developing courses to prepare Latrobe Valley workers for upcoming jobs in the electric vehicle industry.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today welcomed the new partnership, which will allow collaboration on the development and delivery of training for workers interested in employment in the EV industry, including at SEA Electric’s future Latrobe Valley facility.

The courses developed under the partnership will focus on key electric vehicle skills including manufacturing, auto-electrical, engineering and vehicle maintenance.

TAFE Gippsland and SEA Electric have already appointed a joint team to begin work.

SEA Electric will develop an assembly facility in the Latrobe Valley that will employ up to 500 local workers to assemble their E4 model fully-electric vans and minibuses.”The company has already employed 17 Latrobe Valley workers in their current Dandenong facility, who will transition to the Latrobe Valley facility when it opens.

The Latrobe Valley Authority is currently working closely with the SEA Electric and Latrobe City Council to find an appropriate site for the facility, which is due to be under construction in 2020 and begin operations in 2021.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“This partnership is one more step on the path to making the Latrobe Valley the Australian capital of electric vehicles – creating 500 local jobs along the way.”

Quotes attributable to Latrobe Valley Authority CEO Karen Cain 

“This partnership will support the Latrobe Valley’s vision as a future high-skills, high-value manufacturing centre.”

Quotes attributable to TAFE Gippsland Chief Executive Officer Grant Radford

“This partnership with SEA Electric is an important example of TAFE Gippsland working closely with an emerging industry to develop training programs which service their future skill needs.”

Quotes attributable to SEA Electric AU/NZ Regional Director Mark Cameron

“We look forward to the opportunity to provide jobs in the Latrobe Valley, this agreement with TAFE Gippsland is another step forward on that part.”