Wodonga TAFE has just received five new cars, including two hybrids, to help their motorsports students prepare for the future.

“This is the future,” said Trevor Crisp, a teacher in the Motorsports Technology course.

Mr Crisp can’t keep the smile off his face as he watches five shining new cars glide through the back doors of Wodonga TAFE’s workshop.

The TAFE has just received the new vehicles for the students to work on. Two of the cars have the latest hybrid technology.

The bonnet of one of the new cars clicks open, and a cluster of students practically dive face-first into the engine.

The hybrids are the first of their kind in the workshop, and they can’t wait to take a peek.

Mr Crisp is thrilled his students will get the chance to work on the newest technology, as it’s the best way to prepare them for entering a changing industry.

“Like with all technology, it’s advancing too quick. I think the petrol engine, the internal combustion engine, is on the way out,” he said.

“With the hybrids, electric and hydrogen coming online, I think it’s going to be the future. And if we can get on the front foot with the training, that’s a very, very good outcome for our students.”

Taking a momentary break from inspecting the new loot, 23-year-old student George said he was glad to get the opportunity to work on these cars before heading into the workforce.

“I don’t know many other places that are taking this step, so it’s pretty cool,” he said.

The in-kind donation comes from Jacob Toyota Wodonga, and director Dean Jacob said having young mechanics trained in the new technology would benefit the whole industry.

“There is a skills shortage right throughout Australia for technicians and what the TAFE is doing is absolutely imperative,” he said.

“We can nearly say that the [students] coming through here can have a job with us. That’s the next level that we’re looking for.”

One of the cars goes up on a hoist, and students and teachers alike buzz around underneath, shining torches up into the chassis and pointing things out to each other.

George looks sideways at the exposed engine of another of the cars and smiles slightly. You can see he is itching to get in there.

“I’ve never even driven a hybrid, so I don’t know a lot about the technology. It’ll be exciting to have a chance to figure it out.”