University College is launching two new courses to meet the training and education needs of the manufacturing and civil construction industries.
The Associate Degree in Equipment Design and Technology and Diploma of Construction Management will be offered from February 2020, following extensive consultation with industry, employers and peak bodies.
Chief Executive Lee Whiteley said the new associate degree would be delivered from Burnie and was designed to capitalise on the strengths of the region.
"The Associate Degree of Equipment Design and Technology will focus on what the North-West Coast does best and look to fill the gaps between a trade and an engineering degree," Mr Whiteley said.
"The manufacturing industry is transforming itself from a manual labour focused environment to one that is leveraging the benefits of robotics and automation. This increased use of technology and advanced manufacturing processes means we need to train our workforce with the knowledge and skills required to fulfil the jobs of the future."
The program is aimed at both Year 12 school leavers and mature age students keen to make their mark in the advanced manufacturing and processing industries. Graduates will be employed across a range of positions, including design and fabrication, quality control, logistics and project management.
University College is collaborating with the Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council (TMEC) to leverage existing infrastructure at the Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Burnie.
The Diploma of Construction Management will provide a set of much-needed professional skills for a range of mid-level roles in the civil construction industry.
"The construction industry is growing rapidly and stakeholders have told us there is a recognised training gap for paraprofessionals who work in civil construction in Tasmania," Mr Whiteley said.
"This new diploma will address that gap and reflects our commitment to delivering responsive, industry-relevant training that directly benefits our state and regional communities."
The program is aimed at those already working in the building or civil construction sector who want to take their career to the next level.
Students will build on their technical work experience while developing the skills required for the jobs of the future, which will be characterised by rapid change, new construction materials, the need for strong people skills, and much more rigorous documentation of day-to-day decisions.
In line with University College's hands-on learning ethos, students will work on a capstone industry project and develop a portfolio of evidence of their learning to present to their employer.
Graduates from both courses will also be able to articulate into further study at the University of Tasmania.
(Pictured): TMEC General Manager Kent Wylie with University College's Lee Whiteley and Mark Shelton (Photo: Scott Gelston/The Advocate)
