The next generation of trades workers will be equipped with the skills fundamental to building the smart cities of the future, as part of the NSW Governmentโ€™s revolutionary new TAFE NSW Institute of Applied Technology for Construction.

Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens today announced that Australasiaโ€™s leading construction company CPB Contractors and Western Sydney University will join forces with TAFE NSW to pioneer new ways of training at the state-of-the-art $84 million facility at Kingswood.

โ€œThis innovative partnership will pave the way for students to merge the knowledge gained through university study with the hands-on practical and technical skills acquired through vocational education,โ€ Mr Henskens said.

โ€œThis is the future of skills and training and the NSW Government is leading the nation in investing in this critical infrastructure which will be a flagship educational centre, supporting the pipeline of major infrastructure projects which will grow the economy and help secure a brighter future for the people of NSW.โ€

Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said together, these partners will revolutionise education and training in Western Sydney by creating industry-led and embedded training programs which will rapidly upskill the local construction workforce.

 

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โ€œTo have a leader in construction like CPB Contractors as a foundational industry partner for the IAT for Construction puts real muscle behind this venture and will ensure we have a sustainable workforce that will service Western Sydneyโ€™s fast-growing population now and into the future,โ€ Mr Ayres said.

Managing Director of CPB Contractors Jason Spears said he recognised the need for businesses to leave a lasting skills legacy through innovative collaboration with education providers.

โ€œWe are seeing unprecedented levels of construction, and this state-of-the-art training facility will equip students with real-world skills to meet current workforce needs while futureproofing Australiaโ€™s construction capability,โ€ Mr Spears said.

โ€œWe are proud to work with TAFE NSW and Western Sydney University to build a new educational model and learning experience that is flexible, scalable, accessible, and promotes greater diversity of thought across the industry.โ€

Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University Professor Barney Glover AO said the Institute will leverage the universityโ€™s world-leading expertise in engineering, smart construction, architecture, design, and advanced manufacturing.

โ€œThis is an exciting new model for education and training. With this Institute, we will co-design and co-deliver highly flexible education programs that integrate research-led learning with advanced technical and industry-based skills,โ€ Professor Glover said.

The Institute of Applied Technology for Construction at TAFE NSW Kingswood is due to open in 2023.