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A privately-funded program is aiming to entice people back into the automotive industry.
NBC Auto Parts and Engineering has launched a $70,000 program called Car-eer.
The company's director Selina Palmer said the project has been in the works for some months.
"We're taking a standard GTI Golf and turning it into a full-spec car as we go to Challenge Bathurst in December," she said. "We're looking for people who are interested in working with their hands or interested in working in all parts of the automotive industry because I think there is a bit of a misconception that our is not a booming vibrant industry."
There is a shortfall of skilled workers across the industry, she said.
"Losing Holden and Ford, people seem to think well there aren't any manufacturers here, but there is so much happening in our industry with so many jobs locally," she said.
"There is not a mechanic in town, including dealerships, that couldn't take on two or three more people."
Instead of waiting on governments and other entities to do something, Ms Palmer and DBC2, a mainland-based automotive marketing company, partnered to make the project come to life.
"We'd like to run it for three-to-five years if the need is there. There have been four independent workshops come on board, but we're obviously looking for more support," Ms Palmer said.
"I'm privately funding it at the moment, but we're looking to get at least 10 apprenticeships and 10 people engaged in the industry out of the program."
The free program already has a lot of support, with about 80 people already registering, and Marcos Ambrose coming on board as the ambassador.
"He firmly believes in the program from the perspective of not everyone being destined for academic life, and there are people that have that commonsense practical approach and we need to engage them in the industry," Ms Palmer said.
"So there is really long-term prospects for technicians for engineers and anything to do with the industry out there."
Car-eer was launched on Wednesday night and has support from the Launceston Chamber of Commerce, the TACC and TasTAFE.
Bass Liberal MHA Sarah Courtney and Bass Labor MHA Michelle O'Bryne were at the launch, Ms Palmer said.
"Both of them were really positive around private enterprises taking the initiative and making something happen and seeing what we can change for the good."
The first meeting will be held on May 28, with a core group to go to Challenge Bathurst in December. To register, visit https://car-eer.com.au.