After months of diligent work by the Auto Training Locally Committee it has been confirmed Stage 1 of the Automotive apprenticeship program will be re-established at Inverell TAFE from next year.

The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams says the TAFE NSW-New England Institute has given a firm commitment that it will start the Certificate III in Automotive Light Vehicle.

Senator Williams had convened a meeting in July attended by representatives of TAFE, Australian Apprenticeship Centres, local schools, Chamber of Commerce and local automotive workshops and from there it was decided to seek numbers for the course.

Senator Williams said until now local apprentices have had to travel to Armidale and Moree for their course which is a cost burden to parents and made some employers reluctant to take on apprentices and trainees.

"Local businessmen Keith Parsons and Doug Barry and John McMahon from Inverell TAFE approached local employers and were told up to 10 apprentices would be employed, with the good possibility of more.

These numbers are enough for the Inverell course to get the green light, and the TAFE Trades and Primary Industries Assistant Director John Michael confirmed this at the recent meeting with stakeholders.

I believe that once the course starts other employers will see its benefits and consider engaging apprentices and trainees. We must continually train our young people as an investment for the future and it is better for them, their parents and their employer if they can do it locally.

This has been an outstanding result for a group of determined people and I congratulate them", Senator Williams said.