The Nationals Duty Senator for New England John Williams will convene a meeting later this month in the hope that an automotive course can be started at Inverell TAFE.

Senator Williams said after meeting representatives of TAFE and the motor trades earlier this year he feels an effort should be made to introduce Certificate III in Automotive Light Vehicle.

He said the local campus can adequately cater for the course but in recent years there have been insufficient numbers of apprentices employed in industry to justify its commencement and on-going sustainability.

"Certificate III in Automotive Light Vehicle would deliver the first year at Inverell. It is not just for those working on light vehicles though as it is a common core for apprentices employed in heavy transport and agricultural machinery workshops.

Because there is no course locally, young people currently have to travel to Armidale, Moree or Tamworth.

If there were sufficient numbers to justify the course starting at Inverell TAFE, it may also attract young apprentices from surrounding centres such as Glen Innes, Bingara and Warialda.

I have invited motor dealers, owners of mechanical workshops, school careers advisors, TAFE personnel and council leaders to attend the meeting in my office on Wednesday the 21^st of July.

We will then be able to identify whether young people are interested in automotive apprenticeships and the likelihood of apprenticeships being offered", Senator Williams said.