Thousands of construction workers across New South Wales and the country will benefit from new skills to help boost housing supply thanks to an $11 million joint investment by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments in a new TAFE Centre of Excellence in Sydney's west.
From today, workers across the industry can access two new fee-free microskills - short, practical online courses.
The Centre will also work with industry and universities to develop a first-of-its-kind Higher Apprenticeship in construction, creating a new pathway that combines hands-on training with higher-level qualifications.
The existing Institute of Applied Technology - Construction at TAFE NSW Kingswood campus will be upgraded to a Construction TAFE Centre of Excellence under the joint investment.
The microskills will give tradies and supervisors across Australia access to training in leadership and workplace culture, joining a growing suite of fee-free microskills covering areas such as digital capability, sustainability, project management and Building Information Modelling (BIM).
Over the next two years, the Construction TAFE Centre of Excellence will deliver over 20,000 enrolments across microskills and microcredentials via online and in-person training.
The TAFE Centre of Excellence will back more workers to skill and upskill in construction by:
- delivering hands-on construction training across quality, compliance, project management and digital skills - in close alignment with industry needs;
- supporting the National Housing Accord through upskilling and reskilling current and future construction workers;
- collaborating with the NSW Building Commission to deliver tailored industry training; and
- addressing net zero and sustainable building practices through training in modern methods of construction (MMC).
The Centre responds to industry demand for short, practical training that helps small and medium-sized construction businesses upskill their workforce and deliver quality housing across Australia.
Today's announcement marks the establishment of the 20th and final nationally-networked TAFE Centre of Excellence under the National Skills Agreement, a landmark five-year agreement between the Commonwealth and states and territories focused on building the skilled workforce to set Australia up now and for the future.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
"We can't build more homes without more construction workers. That's why we're improving training capability to support growing the workforce.
"This TAFE Centre of Excellence will offer students and apprentices cutting-edge skills, and align with industry needs for workers to more easily access opportunities to upskill.
"Across Australia, the Albanese Labor Government has now established 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence in partnership with states and territories, TAFEs, universities and industry - leading the way in ensuring Australians have the skills they want, for the jobs we need."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan:
"The construction industry is changing rapidly, and training needs to keep pace with new technology, new building methods, and the workforce needed to help deliver more homes and infrastructure across Western Sydney and beyond.
"These new fee-free microskills will help tradies and supervisors build practical skills in areas like leadership, workplace culture and digital capability, with flexible online training they can complete wherever they are.
"The Minns and Albanese Labor Governments are working together to build the skilled workforce needed to deliver more homes and infrastructure, while creating new opportunities for construction workers across Western Sydney and the country."
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney, Prue Car:
"The new Construction TAFE Centre of Excellence is the kind of investment our region needs - creating pathways for local workers while supporting a growing workforce.
"This investment means more local tradies and construction businesses will have access to high-quality training right here in the heart of Western Sydney.
"By backing practical, industry-led training, we're helping ensure Western Sydney has the skilled workforce needed to build the homes for families."
Quotes attributable to Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown:
"From apprentices to experienced tradies, this investment at TAFE NSW Kingswood will help local workers gain the skills needed to build the infrastructure and homes across our growing region."
