The State Government’s announcement of funding to train 500 technicians for LPG-fitting will be a great boost to the industry, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said today.
VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said VACC has been appointed by the Victorian State Government to allocate the announced training funding to applicants from the motor industry.
“VACC will be the point of contact for all technicians wanting to access this funding and wishing to undergo the LPG fitter training,” Mr Purchase said.
“VACC will also assist the successful applicants with their enrolment in automotive LPG training programs at training providers approved by the Automotive Alternative Fuels Registration Board (AAFRB).”
Mr Purchase said a portion of these placements would be allocated to regional applicants.
“We applaud this initiative by the Government in assisting the motor industry to meet the unprecedented demand for LPG conversions. We need more skilled and qualified technicians in this area, and the Government subsidy for the training will greatly help.”
He said in the meantime, it was vital motorists used only Automotive Alternative Fuels Registration Board (AAFRB) registered installers to convert their cars.
“These installers are the only recognised qualified converters and any conversion performed by other parties will not be recognised by VicRoads,” he said.
“Using an installer not registered with AAFRB will mean you have a vehicle that is technically unroadworthy and, more than likely, uninsurable.”
AAFRB Chairman Jim Richards said motorist enquiries at VACC and the AAFRB had doubled since the subsidy announcement had been made.
“There are currently 400 AAFRB-registered LPG installing businesses,” he said.
“From January to July this year, 9720 LPG conversions were performed by AAFRB registered installers.
“During the same period last year, there had been 4640 – an increase of 5080 or 109.48 percent.”
Mr Purchase said prospective applicants for the LPG fitting training could contact VACC on (03) 9829 1111 for more information, or to apply for a training position.
