According to the federal government, 107 post graduate engineers will be placed in industry-based automotive projects, with $5 million in grants to be provided.
The Automotive Engineering Graduate Program will deliver 10 grants to seven universities in Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews said the post graduates would work on research projects in key knowledge priority areas.
“Australia has a thriving automotive components sector and we punch above our weight in global vehicle design,” Andrews said.
She also mentioned that the funding will help these universities deliver stipends and research support to the 107 post graduates. In addition, the minister also mentioned that this grant will develop job-ready engineers with the skills and experience that the Australian automotive industry needs and will support projects which will grow the Australian economy and create local jobs.
The successful applicants are:
- Swinburne University of Technology with one grant of over $990,000
- Deakin University with two grants totalling over $900,000
- Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology with three grants totalling over $780,000
- Monash University with one grant of over $750,000
- University of Melbourne with one grant of over $640,000
- University of Western Australia with one grant of over $490,000
- Queensland University of Technology with one grant of over $280,000
Projects include improving the safety and durability of vehicles; development of an innovative powertrain for electric vehicles; next generation battery management systems; automotive computer systems, direction systems for self-driving cars; artificial intelligence; and systems to protect vulnerable road users and using mobile phones to start cars.
Industry partners include Ford, Toyota, Volgren, Robert Bosch, SEA Electric, Easymile, Stealth Technologies, Strategic Elements Ltd and EV Works.
The Automotive Engineering Graduate Program is part of the Coalition’s $100 million Advanced Manufacturing Fund, announced in the 2017-2018 Budget which it says is designed to boost innovation, skills and employment in advanced manufacturing in Australia.