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Riverina Institute teacher brings international best practice back for students

The regional vehicle repair industry is set to benefit from learning about international strategies,  practices and products which are more environmentally friendly and quicker and more effective to use.

Craig Kelly,  who specialises in teaching Vehicle Painting  at TAFE NSW Riverina Institute's Wagga Wagga Campus, will share the new industry practices with apprentices and post graduate students, after spending three weeks learning about them on recent a study tour in Europe and England.

Mr Kelly visited vehicle manufacturers and repairers in England, Holland and Germany to learn more about the environmentally sound water based spray painting systems which are being used in Europe.

"We want our graduates to be at the cutting edge of best practice. They need to be able to leave here and feel confident that the skills and knowledge they gain can be used anywhere in the world. That’s why it was so important for me to talk to people who were considered world leaders in best practice in my industry, and why I'm now going to pass this information on to my students,” Mr Kelly said.

Mr Kelly says there are many benefits to using water-based systems. In addition to being easier and faster to colour match, blend and spray, the by-products can be recycled.

“It’s a much more environmentally friendly product than the solvent based products we currently use in Australia,” explained Mr Kelly. “Even the waste product is used to create energy."

Mr Kelly said of particular interest to him was the safety and ventilation equipment used by the operators.

“Because the human body is made up predominantly of water, operators must ensure they are wearing the proper protective clothing, as there could be serious implications if the materials come in contact with your skin,” he said.

Mr Kelly's enthusiasm to immediately share this knowledge with his students has been supported by the relations he was able to forge during his tour.

“DeBeer has donated a water based system to the campus and we have already begun to teach our stage 2 students how to use it,” said Mr Kelly.

Mr Kelly said while he was struck by the new technologies in Europe, he was also impressed by the important foundation practices that were still in use.

“It just highlighted to me that while it’s great to embrace new technologies, some of the core practices that are the foundation of our trade can't be discarded,” he said.

Mr Kelly anticipates water-based systems will be standard in the autmotive repair industry in Australia in as little as four years and is reviewing the training syllabus so students are best prepared.

“That means our students will be one step ahead – and that’s where we want them to be.”

Craig Kelly took part in the study tour after receiving a $10,000 fellowship through the International Specialised Skills Institute and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.