With many businesses around the state beginning to re-open following the strict guidelines implemented to stop the spread of COVID-19, the MTA Institute remains open and prepared to perform our role in training the next generation of automotive professionals.

During this period, it is crucial correct processes are put in place to ensure the safety of all staff, trainers and students when coming into contact with each other, so businesses may continue to reopen and resume regular operations with minimal consequences.

With the health and safety of trainers and students remaining a top priority for the MTA Institute during this period, the Institute are implementing new processes to maintain the safety of everyone when entering businesses externally or when visiting the MTA Institute.

External to MTA Institute when entering business workplaces

COVID-19 Questions

When visiting businesses to perform training, MTA Institute trainers will ask COVID-19 questions with students prior to commencing training. These questions are consistent with Queensland Government questions to determine whether the student may have encountered someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days and, based on the responses, will determine if it’s safe for the training to commence.

Maintain social distancing and hygiene practices

Once the questions have been completed and training has commenced, trainers will ensure that social distancing and hygiene practices are adhered to. This includes maintaining a distance of at least 1.5m between everyone in the workplace, limiting contact with students and regularly washing their hands. All equipment including iPads will be wiped down regularly and tools and equipment will not be shared unless necessary.

Personal Protective Equipment

All trainers have been equipped with additional personal protective equipment including gloves, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitiser to ensure good hygiene standards are practised. Trainers have also been asked to stay home if they are feeling unwell. Students and other workers should also take additional protective measures where possible.

Online training

If visiting a business to perform training is deemed unsafe, or the trainer has been advised not to visit the business, online video communication may be used to connect the trainer with the student and perform the theoretical component of their training.

At the MTA Institute

The MTA Institute has also incorporated new processes at the Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence to ensure the safety of all visitors.

Reduced class sizes

With regular classes returning, class sizes have been drastically reduced to a maximum of ten students per course (or less than 10 in some courses). All students attending the MTA Institute will be required to complete the same COVID-19 screening questions before they are allowed access into the workshop.

Social distancing measures

Strict social distancing measures will be enforced for visitors in the workshop, training rooms and common area, forcing everyone to stand at least 1.5m away from each other, and the seating in the training room and common area will be adjusted to ensure seats are at least 1.5m apart. Trainers will ensure these rules are followed.

Health and safety signage

Signage has been installed around the facility including the workshop and classrooms reminding visitors of their hygiene responsibilities and social distancing requirements. General signage has also been introduced with messages about visitor health and wellness, reminders to use personal protective equipment always and instructions on how to wash hands properly.

Additional cleaning procedures

And finally, comprehensive new cleaning procedures will be introduced to ensure all facility surfaces are professionally cleaned daily. All common areas, training rooms, door handles, and equipment will be cleaned and monitored every day with frequently touched surfaces cleaned several times throughout the day to provide a safe, clean environment for all visitors. Hand sanitising stations have been set up at entry and exit points, while bathrooms will be well stocked with soap and paper towelling.

Any personal property brought into common areas should also be cleaned with disinfectant wipes upon entry.

By introducing these safety measures, the MTA Institute is ensuring that students still receive their regularly scheduled training while not compromising their health. If everyone does their bit to follow these rules and guidelines, then we can all get through this period together and come out of it with minimal disruptions.

12 May 2020