A peak caravan industry body has partnered with Wodonga TAFE to offer formal qualifications in caravan manufacturing, servicing and repairs.
Caravan Industry Australia’s (CIA) industry development manager, Daniel Sahlberg, says the association hopes the joint initiative will raise education levels and accreditation standards in the industry.
A national caravan industry training college will be established, and courses will also be offered on-site at caravan businesses across the state.
Mr Sahlberg said the college idea was first identified in a 2012 industry blueprint, which acknowledged a relatively weak training and skills development culture and suggested that a workforce skills strategy be developed.
He said trainers and assessors would visit businesses and teach students while they were working on the job.
“Its entirely workplace-based, designed specifically for businesses so that all the training is done on-site.”
So far, 29 businesses have signed up to the program. They include Supreme Caravans in Craigieburn, where the initiative was launched last Monday.
Supreme Caravans general manager David Martin said his business was keen to have its staff accredited.
“We think accrediting people will help them become more valuable employees in the industry,” Mr Martin said.
CIA chief executive Rob Lucas said the college was an investment in the future. “The caravan industry is worth more than $1.4 billion a year and directly employs more than 5500 people.”
College enrolments open next month.
