The fact that 15 young people are enrolled in an automotive TAFE course at Inverell is a reward for the groundwork established since the middle of last year, according to The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams.

Senator Williams attended today's function to meet the 15 apprentices undertaking the Stage 1 Automotive course as well as employers and representatives of TAFE and training groups.

He said when he convened a meeting in June last year he was struck by the enthusiasm of all stakeholders for the establishment of a course so that young people would not have to travel to other regional centres.

"It was obvious there was a need for the course, but we also had to determine if there were enough employers willing to take on young apprentices. Doug Barry from Barry's Motors and Keith Parsons from F. Gaukroger and Sons, backed by TAFE and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, canvassed local businesses and came up with a pool of employers.

Many of these employers had themselves undertaken their automotive training at Inverell TAFE.

With this course being established locally, it means our young apprentices are not having to travel long distances for training and stay away from home, and it means less cost and worry for their parents.

The Inverell TAFE course is a mixture of full apprenticeships and school-based apprenticeships.

I congratulate everyone involved in this wonderful milestone", Senator Williams said.