Nova leads industry training push

Melbourne’s Nova Caravans in conjunction with the Caravan Industry Association Victoria, will trial a new State Government funded training initiative designed to improve the “professionalism and efficiency” of those working in the Australian RV manufacturing industry.

A $2.2 million Victorian government grant will help fund the pilot training program, which will involve some of Nova’s 70 staff completing a Certificate III in Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing, in conjunction with educational institution, Melbourne Polytechnic.

CIA VIC Chief Executive Officer, Rob Lucas, said the program will be used to deliver a flexible training delivery model, customised for the whole recreational vehicle industry - something that currently doesn't exist.

“This pilot project that will run for two years, will not only benefit Nova Caravans but provide a model that will take the whole industry to that next level of professionalism and efficiency,” Lucas said.

He said the Caravan Manufacturing Excellence Program was driven by the Victorian Caravan and Camping Industry Blueprint launched in 2012.

“Two of the most important elements of our Blueprint are training and industry standards, and we have made real progress in both of these areas,” he said.

“But we have much still to do in order to raise our industry’s business standards to match the expectations of increasingly knowledgeable and sophisticated customers.”