TAFE Manufacturing Centre of Excellence announced

The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments have announced joint funding of $53.95 million to establish the TAFE NSW Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence – Western Sydney. The centre, to be located at TAFE NSW’s Wetherill Park Campus, will deliver advanced education and training in manufacturing across the engineering, pipe fabrication Australia, and renewable energy sectors, boosting Western Sydney’s competitiveness as a place for global manufacturers to do business. As the first of three TAFE Centres of Excellence in NSW, the Centre is a key part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to provide fully subsidised training to an additional 1,000 apprenticeships a year in advanced manufacturing and related industries.

“This government is investing in the future of manufacturing in line with the Future Made in Australia Act, so workers have the latest skills and businesses have access to talent right here in Western Sydney,” says NSW Premier Chris Minns “This will create a pipeline of skilled workers, so we have the fitters, machine operators and welders needed to support a thriving domestic advanced manufacturing industry in NSW.” The Centre will strengthen the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system by delivering high- quality and responsive skills training to 10,000 learners over four years, tailored to the rapidly digitising manufacturing sector. “We’re putting TAFE at the heart of the vocational education and training sector, to the benefit of Australian businesses and workers,” says Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles. “The Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing will lead to the delivery of high-quality and responsive skills training in a sector critical to our economy.”

The Centre of Excellence will:

• enable apprentices to access degree-level learning while retaining a focus on existing hands-on skills.
• support the development of microskills and microcredentials, allowing TAFE NSW to rapidly respond to emerging skills needs in evolving high-technology industries.
• give apprentices access to cutting edge equipment and smart technologies for upskilling, including smart factories, industrial 3D printing, and robotic and automated manufacturing.
• establish arrangements with university partners to share knowledge and collaborate on course design and delivery, bringing Vocational and Higher education closer together.
• develop partnerships with local industry to inform course design, provide access to mining plant and equipment Australia, and host apprentices and trainees, providing benefits to both employers and learners.

“This Centre will shape workforces that can thrive in the modern manufacturing landscape. The TAFE NSW Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence – Western Sydney will be a game-changer for both local students and industries,” says NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan. “Our landmark investment in this Centre will ensure graduates will receive cutting-edge qualifications co-developed by TAFE NSW, industry, and universities, at no cost.”