A meeting convened by the Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams has agreed to work towards the establishment of an automotive course at Inverell TAFE from next year.

Representatives from the local motor industry, schools, Chamber of Commerce, Inverell Shire Council and Australian Business Limited Apprenticeship Centre have heard TAFE officials outline the criteria for starting Certificate III in Automotive Light Vehicle.

Currently local apprentices have to travel to Armidale or Moree for their course which is a cost burden for parents.

Senator Williams said several options were floated.

"The first is the accepted method of local vehicle and machinery dealerships and garages taking on apprentices. In recent years the number of apprentices have fallen away, possibly because of the distance they have to travel for TAFE.

The other alternatives are a school-based traineeship or apprenticeship where a student in Years 11 and 12 can spend one day a week with their employer and one day a week at TAFE, and the remaining three days at school. This could cover the shortfall in apprentice numbers.

It is a requirement that they must work with their employer for a minimum number of days over two years.

To make the course viable at Inverell it would need 10 to 12 apprentices, and those at the meeting were confident that with a concerted effort these numbers could be reached.

I am more hopeful after today that we are on the right track to having Certificate III in Automotive Light Vehicle at Inverell TAFE next year", Senator Williams said.

A working group will meet again in August to plan an awareness campaign amongst schools and employers.