Kangan Institute starts hydrogen vehicle training

KANGAN Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence has become the first non-OEM automotive training facility in the country to offer hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle training.

Launched this week in collaboration with Foton Mobility Distribution (FMD), the program aims to ensure future automotive technicians are skilled in the abilities required to work safely and effectively with hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

“This program is a national first – bringing together educators and technicians from every corner of the country to build the skills needed for a zero-emissions future,” said Kangan Institute chief executive officer Sally Curtain.

“It’s a powerful example of what’s possible when industry and education collaborate to solve real-world challenges. We’re proud to be leading the way in hydrogen vehicle training and helping shape the workforce of tomorrow.”

Ms Curtain said the pilot program will help to ensure trainees are equipped with the skills needed to help advance clean energy and workforce innovation.

The training program was made possible via funding from the state government’s Skills Solutions Partnerships program and aims to provide specialist hydrogen FCEV training for both automotive teachers and technicians.

Kangan Institute says the nationally AUSMASA developed FCEV training program is a safety-focused, online micro-credential course developed by eWorks for businesses interested in using hydrogen vehicles in their fleets.

“We are investing in skills and training to build the pipeline of workers that Victoria needs,” said Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney.

“This training course is the first of its kind in Australia. It’s great for jobs and great for the economy.”

FMD has provided a hydrogen-powered truck to the Automotive Centre of Excellence to allow students and teachers direct access to real-world hydrogen vehicle technology as part of their training experience.

“FMD are proud to be associated with this exceptional initiative,” said Foton Mobility Distribution CEO Neil Wang.

“When we set out three years ago to bring class-leading zero emissions transport product to Australia, we always knew that there would be a need to not only back the product with exceptional after-sales support and service, but that we would need to foster knowledge- sharing around the technology.

“This partnership with Kangan Institute has allowed us to share technical knowledge gained from millions of km’s of real-world experience.”

Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence in Melbourne’s Docklands precinct is the largest purpose-built automotive training facility in the southern hemisphere.

With world-class diagnostic labs and a $1.4 million electric vehicle lab, it trains up to 5000 students annually across more than 25 specialised areas – making it uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of clean energy training.