DIESEL EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT

54 Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder) (10 July 2007).

1. How many diesel mechanics are currently training at the Diesel Emissions Equipment Training Facility at the O'Halloran Hill Campus?

2. How many of these mechanics are employed by Transport SA and is this facility also available to the private sector?

3. Will other TAFE campuses implement a Diesel Emissions Equipment Training Facility and if so, what are the details?

4. How much State Government funding has been allocated to the Diesel Emissions Equipment Training Facility over the forward estimate years?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Gambling): The exhaust emissions testing facility has been used to train approximately 60 mechanics since its commissioning in late 2006. The training has been warmly received with positive feedback from all sectors of the industry.

The mechanics are from a broad cross section of the industry and to date eight staff from the Department of Transport Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) have attended the training.

As part of the initial infrastructure expenses DTEI assisted in purchasing the new emissions measuring equipment with funding support provided through the Commonwealth Government. As part of the agreement for the supply of equipment, 200 diesel mechanics will receive highly subsidised training.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Department of Transport Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) and TAFE SA Adelaide South specifically describes the use of the emissions testing equipment for the use of TAFE SA and DTEI.

The MOU will remain in place until the completion of the contractual arrangements with DTEI (that is, to train 200 diesel mechanics), there is no discussion or allowances for third party access under the current MOU.

The O'Halloran Hill Campus provides the majority of heavy vehicle diesel training in South Australia for TAFE SA. The facilities have been made available to other appropriate programs across TAFE SA. There are no plans to implement a Diesel Emissions Equipment Training Facility at another campus at the present time.

The allocated resources for the 2007-08 financial year are estimated to be $43,000. This is based on 150 remaining diesel mechanics to complete the initial training.