Building on key strengths in sustainability and clean economy workforce training, Melbourne Polytechnic will lead the development of the:
Clean Economy Skills Lab for Residential Building and Construction (funded by the Victorian Skills Authority) and;
Circular Design and Manufacturing Skills Lab (funded by Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery).
The announcement was made on 20 August, by Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney, as part of a broader $9 million funding package to boost skills in environmental sustainability and the clean economy, with $3.45 million allocated to the establishment of three Clean Economy Skills Labs.
A third lab, the Skills Lab for Offshore Wind Skills, will be led by TAFE Gippsland.
These Skills Labs, address skills gaps and foster the development of innovative educational approaches in response to the findings of the Macklin Review (2020). The review emphasised the importance of co-design processes involving industry, universities, learners, the TAFE Network and unions to effectively identify and meet the skills required for a growing economy.
Over 18-24 months, Melbourne Polytechnic will work through a series of workshops with our industry and TAFE partners to co-design new approaches for clean economy skills development, informed by leading industry practices and technologies, and aligned with industry directions and projected needs. This will include working closely with the broader Victorian TAFE Network to leverage knowledge and capability.
To progress the Melbourne Polytechnic Skills Labs, preliminary industry engagement is expected to commence in September, with co-design slated for November – December 2024.
“There can be no transition to a clean economy without TAFE. Australia needs at least two million new ‘clean economy’ jobs to achieve a Net Zero future. Melbourne Polytechnic, alongside our Victorian TAFE Network partners are delighted to work with industry, education and community and government stakeholders to upskill the future workforce to meet this demand, "said Chief Executive of Melbourne Polytechnic, Frances Coppolillo.
Please contact media@melbournepolytechnic.edu.au