"The donation of the Intellibus from the RAC provides an enhanced and richer learning experience for our students becoming skilled in electric hybrid technology."
Darshi Ganeson-Oats
SM TAFE Managing Director
20 May 2024
Automotive training at South Metropolitan TAFE (SM TAFE) has accelerated into a new era with the recent donation of the RAC Intellibus.
SM TAFE is now the proud home of the RAC Intellibus, which will become a static demonstration vehicle at the Specialist Light Automotive Training Centre at our Kwinana Campus. The Intellibus will provide students with first-hand experience working on automated vehicle technology.
The RAC broke new technological ground with the Intellibus, which was Australia’s first and longest trial of a driverless electric vehicle, contributing to cleaner air for future generations. Over seven years, the Intellibus had over 28,000 passengers and became an icon on the South Perth foreshore in WA.
The vehicle will prepare trainees studying light auto trades including mechanical, electrical and air-conditioning and also give insight into emerging industry needs.
Managing Director Darshi Ganeson-Oats said SM TAFE has been training students in electric and low emission technology since 2020.
“We have trained over 1,000 students and are gradually increasing our training provision to meet industry demand.
“The donation of the Intellibus from the RAC provides an enhanced and richer learning experience for our students becoming skilled in electric hybrid technology,” Ms Ganeson-Oats said.
SM TAFE light auto student, Tom, is undertaking the Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology. He has completed electrical vehicle training which is a component of his course.
“I’ve pretty much always loved cars, I did my pre-apprenticeship in the Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology to see how it went – I really enjoyed it and went from there,” Tom explained.
“As part of the course we’ve learnt electric vehicle skills; we’ve covered the hybrid systems learning to de-power and reinitialise them and the safety side of things. It’s been good to get a head start on the technology as more electric vehicles are coming out,” said Tom.
Thank you to the RAC for the valued donation of the Intellibus, which was welcomed to SM TAFE by Hannah Beazley MLA, Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development. The donated machinery complements the State Government’s $25 million investment in modern equipment for WA TAFE colleges.
Light Auto training at SM TAFE
Want to catch the career bus and get job ready for a role in light-automotive?
Become an in-demand apprentice motor mechanic to repair and service motor vehicles, with the AUR30620 Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, which is half price* to provide accessible training opportunities for a priority industry area.
Or, take the first step and do a pre-apprenticeship to find out if the light auto industry is for you. The AUR20520 Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology (Light Vehicle Servicing Pre-apprenticeship) is an introductory course which is also half price.*
*This course is part of the skills ready program. As part of the state government Lower fees, local skills initiative from 1 January 2020 through to 31 December 2025 you’ll only pay half the course fee, capped for each year at $1,200; or $400 (plus resource fee) if you’re aged 15-24 or eligible for a concession.
The Intellibus is a valuable addition to training inventory.
A special presentation was held to welcome the Intellibus.
SM TAFE light auto student Tom has almost completed his qualification.
Tom in the Specialist Light Automotive Training Centre.