TAFE NSW Dubbo and Cobar automotive students will be able to hone their practical skills, thanks to donations of unwanted vehicles.

Instead of sending unclaimed impounded vehicles to auction or scrap, Dubbo Regional Council has donated them to TAFE NSW as learning resources for students.

Dubbo Mayor Ben Shields said the abandoned vehicles had been impounded, with rangers unable to contact their owners despite multiple attempts. The latest donation is part of a long-running partnership between TAFE NSW and Council which provides training opportunities for HSC, trade and correctional centre students.

“To have this partnership with TAFE NSW is incredibly important because if we weren’t able to donate these cars, we would have to pay to have them destroyed. So, it’s great to see that they are going to benefit students, as well as young people in rural and remote parts of New South Wales, and prisoners learning a trade,” Mayor Shields said.

“Staff follow the proper process when removing these dumped vehicles. They have to be cleared by Revenue NSW before we can release them to TAFE NSW, to ensure there aren’t any outstanding debts, and that someone doesn’t want to claim the vehicle as their own.”

Meanwhile students at TAFE NSW Cobar will also benefit from the donation of a vehicle by local business, DRC Drilling. The vehicle had reached the end of its working life and was due to be scrapped.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Automotive Jeremy Reid said the vehicle donations will help prepare automotive students to be job-ready when they enter the workforce.

“These vehicles will be used as teaching resources for Certificate II courses in Automotive Servicing Technology and Automotive Air Conditioning Technology; Certificate II and III courses in Automotive Body Repair Technology, Automotive Electrical Technology and Automotive Refinishing Technology; and the Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology and Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology,” Mr Reid said.

“Over two years, students will remove and rebuild the engines; re-fit and replace all the major mechanical systems such as brakes, steering and suspension; and will also work on the electrical and cooling systems.

“They will assist the HSC students who are preparing for their exams and build on past success where in recent years, three of our HSC students have achieved ‘best in state’ or ‘second in state’ results.

“In addition, these vehicles will be a resource for students in our correctional centre automotive trade courses.”

For more information on the range of automotive courses available at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.

Media contact: Jenny Tinworth, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist