Menu

upskilling

2149595826

TAFE Manufacturing Centre of Excellence announced

, , , , 0

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.”

255

Manufacturing Evolution Over Last Five Years

, , , , 0

 

The manufacturing industry has undergone significant transformation over the past five years, marked by technological advancements, shifting global dynamics, and evolving consumer preferences. From the rise of Industry 4.0 to the challenges posed by geopolitical uncertainties and the COVID-19 pandemic, manufacturers have navigated a rapidly changing landscape. In this blog, we delve into key trends and developments that have shaped the manufacturing sector over the last half-decade, highlighting both challenges and opportunities that have emerged.

Embrace of Industry 4.0 Technologies

Industry 4.0 Technologies

The past five years have witnessed a widespread adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies across the manufacturing sector. From advanced robotics and automation to Internet of Things (IoT) devices and artificial intelligence (AI), manufacturers have embraced digital transformation to enhance efficiency, productivity, and flexibility. Smart factories equipped with interconnected systems and data analytics capabilities have revolutionized production processes, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and agile manufacturing.

Reshoring and Supply Chain Resilience

Reshoring and Supply Chain Resilience

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, prompting many manufacturers to reconsider their sourcing strategies. Over the last five years, there has been a trend towards reshoring and nearshoring as companies seek to mitigate risks associated with disruptions and strengthen post-pandemic supply chains. Building resilience into supply chains through diversification, localization, and closer collaboration with suppliers has become a priority for manufacturers looking to enhance agility and responsiveness to market fluctuations.

Sustainability and Circular Economy

Environmental sustainability has emerged as a key focus area for the manufacturing industry in recent years. With increasing awareness of climate change and resource scarcity, manufacturers are embracing sustainable practices to minimize environmental impact and meet regulatory requirements. The concept of the circular economy, which aims to reduce waste and maximize resource efficiency through recycling and reuse, has gained traction within the manufacturing sector. Companies are investing in eco-friendly technologies such as heat induction bending services, renewable energy sources, and closed-loop systems to minimize waste generation and carbon emissions.

Resilience Amidst Disruptions

Resilience Amidst Disruptions

The manufacturing industry has faced numerous disruptions over the past five years, including trade tensions, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These disruptions have underscored the importance of resilience and adaptability in manufacturing operations. Heavy steel fabrication companies that have invested in digitalization, supply chain visibility, and risk management have been better equipped to weather the storm and pivot swiftly in response to changing market conditions. The ability to anticipate and mitigate risks will continue to be critical for manufacturers in the years ahead.

Skills Gap and Workforce Development

As manufacturing becomes increasingly digitized and automated, there is a growing need for a skilled workforce capable of leveraging advanced technologies. However, a widening skills gap has been a challenge facing the metal fabrication industry, with shortages of workers trained in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines and digital skills. Over the last five years, manufacturers have ramped up efforts to address this challenge through investments in workforce training, apprenticeship programs, and partnerships with educational institutions. Building a talent pipeline equipped for the demands of modern manufacturing will be essential for future growth and innovation.

Closing Comments

The past five years have been transformative for the manufacturing industry, characterized by technological innovation, supply chain disruptions, and a heightened focus on sustainability and resilience. As manufacturers navigate the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving landscape, adaptability, agility, and forward-thinking will be key to driving success in the years to come. By embracing digitalization, prioritizing sustainability, and investing in talent development, manufacturers can position themselves for continued growth and competitiveness in an ever-changing global marketplace.

Industrial Augmented Reality Isometric Composition

How AI Can Transform Manufacturing

, , , , 0

 

Artificial Intelligence is a buzzword with Generative AI “generating” the most hype. Globally, businesses have already started adopting AI for various use cases, and the Australian Government recently launched a public consultation to seek advice on how to mitigate potential risks and ensure it is applied responsibly. One of these uses cases is advanced manufacturing, which is a broad term that encompasses technologies applied to any manufacturing facility, including application software and AI tools to augment and generate higher value manufacturing output. So how can AI drive advanced manufacturing and what can manufacturers proactively do in this regard? Let us find out from this blog.

Speed and Safety

Part of removing human error to make manufacturing safer and faster means reducing reliance on human observation. As machinery drivers and operators are among the top three occupation groups with the highest rate of work-related injuries in Australia at 6.5% in the 2021-2022 financial year, this makes a use case for AI analytics in augmenting workplace health and safety. A use case for workplace health and safety is driven by AI video surveillance in manufacturing. AI analytics can match workers’ physical position in relation to how they interact with machines, particularly heavy industrial machinery, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of safety in workplace operations and injury.

Intelligent operations is a top manufacturing technology trend and AI software can also manage workflows more effectively by identifying and allocating tasks. This can be taken one step further, with large site and heavy industrial manufacturing operations using Industry 4.0 technologies like digital twins to optimise these workflows – by using a virtual model designed to accurately reflect the manufacturing process to model operations and planning at significant scale. These digital twins can show how people and equipment can be moved and managed more quickly and safely around a site in a controlled manner before applying it to the actual operations. These use cases for AI are less about employing “robots to take manufacturing jobs”, and more about creating a productive workforce and giving advanced manufacturers a competitive edge. The challenge for individuals and corporations is to understand and embrace how this technology can enhance current advanced manufacturing processes, rather than downplaying the potential.

Upskilling Workers and Emerging Tech

With capital decisions carrying longer term implications, it is important for manufacturing businesses to consider their investment in any technologies and operational uplift, whether that be AI or other emerging technologies, including the current and future needs of upskilling their workforce and plan at least 5 or ten-years’ ahead to avoid sunken costs and stranded assets. IT will also require upskilling of the workforce and considerations regarding ethics, privacy, and cybersecurity. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that combines AI implementation with human expertise is crucial for successful transformation in the manufacturing  and pipe fabrication sectors.

The Final Bow

It is still to be determined how a future where advanced manufacturing is largely driven by AI looks like, however, it is expected that AI will make production more agile, efficient, and safe for a workforce that will become more highly skilled as they grow familiar with and train in it. So, is the hype around AI’s potential in advanced manufacturing justified? We may find out very soon.

© K999 Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. 2023