Last December, Vince Pepi announced an application for funding to train and upskill our mechanical members in the electrification of buses. Well, not only did we secure the grant, but we have also appointed the project’s officer: Michális S. Michael. Working closely with Sarah Ross and Vince, Michalis was welcomed by our State Secretary Tony Mavromatis at our May organisers’ meeting.
If the bus industry is to meet the challenges of reducing carbon emissions, buses and heavy vehicles must move to electric. Effective and efficient electrification of buses can only occur if the industry can service and maintain EV buses. And while our bus mechanics and maintenance workers are skilled workers, they need to be upskilled to service those electric buses.
Funded by the Victorian State Government, this cutting-edge project will design a program that upskills and train our vehicle maintenance workers in electric buses. Working collaboratively with Bendigo Kangan Institute, industry partners, and other stakeholders, the AMWU, with this project, is at the forefront of ensuring that buses regionally and in Melbourne have the workforce to meet their needs.
The project will identify the capabilities needed to work with EV buses and develop, trial, and refine a training package suitable for gaining accreditation for our members. Furthermore, the project will encourage skilled mechanics in the industry to participate in up-skilling for work in the transport support EV industry.