The Minns Labor Government is backing councils to super charge their electric vehicle fleets, ensuring they have the workforce needed to service and maintain EVs into the future.
Twelve apprentice mechanics from six Sydney councils have undertaken hands-on training during a four-day EV workshop with TAFE NSW. The workshop in Western Sydney provided practical, on-the-ground training and the skills needed to power the shift to electric, keep services moving and fleets on the road.
The workshops are funded by the Minns Labor Government as part of the $252 million Fresh Start program which is enabling councils to hire an additional 1,300 apprentices, trainees and cadets in councils across the state.
The Fresh Start program is building a pipeline of skilled workers with over 1,100 already working in NSW councils. The program is providing careers for young people to work in their local community, which is particularly important for rural and regional communities.
The TAFE NSW EV workshops give council apprentice mechanics the specialist skills to inspect and service EVs as more councils move to electrify their fleets. The training includes:
- Depowering and reinitialising battery EVs
- Inspecting and maintaining battery EVs
- Diagnosing and repairing high voltage rechargeable energy storage systems in battery EVs
- Diagnosing and repairing system instrumentation in safety interlocks in battery EVs.
Training more regional mechanics and expanding the EV Fleets Incentive Program are key focus areas of the Minns Labor Government's 2026 Electric Vehicle Strategy. Around $5 million will be invested in training around 2,000 mechanics in regional NSW to safely service EVs and charging infrastructure.
The NSW Government has invested in more than 3,300 EV chargers across 1,200 locations including service stations, regional visitor centres, holiday hotspots and residential streets.
Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig said:
"With the current fuel prices, councils need support to future-proof their workers and fleets - we're delivering exactly that. The Minns Labor Government's Fresh Start program is equipping mechanics to service electric vehicles and keep local services running.
"There's never been a more important time to make sure local government staff have the skills they need to keep their fleets on the road. In uncertain times, the shift to electric is becoming a non-negotiable for councils needing a future-ready plan. This program delivers the skills and roadmap councils need to succeed.
"By upskilling council mechanics to work on electric vehicles, we can cut costs, keep jobs local and in-house to make sure councils are ready for the shift that's already underway. It's about doing things smarter and backing our workforce for the future."
Member for Prospect, Hugh McDermott said:
"The Minns Labor Government is ensuring our local mechanics have all the skills they need to service the next generation of electric vehicle fleets.
"The innovative Fresh Start program ensures that TAFE continues to play a vital role in delivering capability for Western Sydney, future proofing our council fleets and giving our mechanics crucial expertise for the future of the industry."
General Secretary of the United Services Union, Graeme Kelly said:
"The United Services Union wholeheartedly supports the Minns Labor Governments initiative investing in more than 1300 local government apprentices and trainees, particularly the Fresh start EV upskilling project that will ensure councils across NSW are well placed to meet the mechanical needs of the fleets of the future".
