MTA Queensland’s state-of-the-art training facility was busy on Saturday, October 18, as students, aspiring automotive professionals, and those wanting to learn just a bit about how to keep their vehicles on the road attended an Automotive Taster Day program and, separately, a Vehicle Maintenance Course.
For those attending the Automotive Taster Day, the program offered participants an engaging experience across a range of automotive disciplines, designed to give them a real taste of what a career in the industry could look like.
Participants were able to work with MTA Institute trainer Stu Davies, Project Officer Tegan Crossman, and Brad Flanagan, General Manager Industry & Skills, to learn about the environment of a mechanical workshop and get hands-on with real vehicles, tools, and technology.
Over the course of the day, attendees were exposed to different workstations including automotive servicing, electrical diagnostics, spray painting, and light vehicle mechanical. They were even able to use a Virtual Reality system to get a really immersive experience. Participants also learned fundamental workshop safety, as well as how to identify and use tools and equipment correctly.
The format gave them a good idea about what working as an apprentice technician involves – combining teamwork, problem-solving, and practical skill. At the end of the course, the participants received a certificate of completion for MTA Queensland’s Automotive Job Ready micro-credential.
“The Automotive Taster Day is all about giving people a chance to see what it’s really like to work in this industry,” said Tegan. “It’s a fun and informative day that helps people discover their interests – and that could be under the bonnet and in an engine bay, in the spray paint booth, electrical work or diagnostic technology.
“The Taster Day experience lets them explore different career paths in a supportive environment and, for many, it’s the spark that inspires them to take the next step into an apprenticeship.”
Held alongside the Taster Day, MTA Queensland also ran the Vehicle Maintenance Course – a course designed for anyone who wants to better understand and maintain their own vehicles. This short course covers the essentials of vehicle care, safety, and preventative maintenance – from checking oil, coolant, and brake fluid levels, to understanding dashboard warning lights, jump-starting a vehicle, identifying components, and routine tyre and wheel inspection. Participants gain confidence and knowledge that not only helps them keep their cars in top condition but also promotes safety and cost savings. Open to everyone, regardless of mechanical experience, the course provides practical insight into how modern vehicles operate.
Both the Automotive Taster Day and the Vehicle Maintenance Course reflect MTA Queensland’s broader mission to support the automotive industry by building skills, confidence, and career pathways. And these courses complement other initiatives such as the Meet & Greet events, the Industry Workforce Advisor, the Auto Women: Behind the Wheel project and the many pre-apprenticeship courses, micro-credentials, and other training options available to those seeking a pathway into the industry and those who are looking to upskill.
By offering accessible, engaging, and high-quality training, MTA Queensland continues to offer truly significant support to the industry.
The Automotive Taster Day project is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (November 2025)
25 November 2025