The Motor Trade Association (MTA) has launched a future-driven training facility in South Australia to empower the next era of automotive specialists.
As a result, apprentices and industry stakeholders in South Australia will benefit from Australia’s leading automotive training facilities which set global standards, the Association says.
At an official opening ceremony held on 21 November, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and Federal Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles attended MTA Training and Employment to launch its Automotive Refinishing Centre of Excellence.
The officials were also on hand for the reopening of MTA’s largest workshop that was damaged by fire just over one year ago.
Motor Trade Association SA/NT CEO, Darrell Jacobs, said the ‘Future Driven’ event was about showcasing the very best and latest in automotive technology and training.
“As the pace of change in automotive accelerates, so too must the MTA continue its strong investment in future-focused facilities,” Jacobs said.
With higher female participation rates in automotive refinishing, Darrell Jacobs said the new facilities were an opportunity to attract a new generation of apprentices in order to tackle ongoing industry skill shortages.
“We want automotive to be a young person’s first career choice,” Mr Jacobs said.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas at the event reflected on the support provided by the State Government.
“We’re so pleased to have injected funding into this facility, and we look forward to opportunities to continue to work with the MTA in the future to make sure that all those hopes and aspirations are realised,” Premier Malinauskas said.
Federal Minister for Training and Skills, The Hon Andrew Giles MP, said at the event:
“MTA presents us with a great example of training done well. Your training results, your deserved recognition at the South Australian Training Awards are both key indicators of this.”
The Automotive Refinishing Centre of Excellence is a state-of-the-art facility headlined by Australia’s only Low Bake Alpha-E paint booths and features energy-efficient solar-powered electric and gas-powered booths; faster heating and baking times increasing training capacity; and an integrated classroom seamlessly connecting spray booths, trainers and students.
South Australian WorldSkills regional finalist, Amelia Montano, who is a recently qualified automotive refinishing technician, said: “Recent advancements in refinishing technology have significantly contributed to the accelerated improvement of the vehicle repair industry since I began my apprenticeship four years ago.
“I’m excited that future apprentices and qualified industry technicians like myself can benefit from these incredible training facilities.”
In addition, the latest refurbishments to MTA Training and Employment will unveil updates to its EV Training Centre, Light Vehicle Training Centre, Heavy Vehicle Training Centre and Body Repair Centre of Excellence.
Darrell Jacobs reflected on the journey to reopen the large training workshop, which was severely damaged by a fire in September 2024.
“The fire could have devastated us, but instead MTA staff banded together and rose to the challenge,” he said.
Jacobs added that the facilities would complement new training pathways, such as Australia’s first automotive dual trade apprenticeships offered by MTA Training and Employment.
“Today, one in four vehicles sold in South Australia is an electric vehicle or hybrid,” said Jacobs.
“From EVs to autonomous technology, we owe it to the next generation of technicians to prepare them for the road ahead.”
MTA Training and Employment was recently awarded Large Training Provider of the Year at the 2025 South Australian Training Awards.
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