Getting on the tools: Vocational Education students to learn the future of trades on new equipment

Getting on the tools: Vocational Education students to learn the future of trades on new equipment

RMIT’s building and trade students will have access to state-of-the-art tools and equipment, following the announcement of a quarter-of-a-million-dollar grant from the Victorian Government’s TAFE Equipment and Facilities Fund (TEFF), announced last week.

The grant – worth $259,125 – will be used at RMIT’s Bundoora campus to fit-out existing spaces and refresh equipment for the University’s building and trade apprentice and pre-apprentice students, ensuring they have access to the same modern tools and machinery they’ll be working with on the job and into the future.

RMIT’s College of Vocational Education Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Mish Eastman said the University has an ambitious plan to expand its programs and presence in traditional trades at its Bundoora campus, as demand for skilled workers in Victoria’s construction industry rises exponentially.

Caption: Colin Brooks MP, State Member for Bundoora and Franklin O’Carroll, Director at Apprenticeships Victoria, with some of our College of VE leaders and students, to launch the new grant at our Bundoora campus. Colin Brooks MP, State Member for Bundoora and Franklin O’Carroll, Director at Apprenticeships Victoria, with some of our College of VE leaders and students, to launch the new grant at our Bundoora campus.

“Aligned to the Victorian government’s Big Build agenda, RMIT will increase the pipeline of highly skilled trades and construction workers in Victoria, specifically in our northern corridor” she said.

“We’re providing our students with the skills they need – and access to new state-of-the-art equipment – to be able to learn and upskill for the jobs of the future and predicted growth in the sector.”

The significant funding announcement was made last week during a visit to the trades workshop at RMIT’s Bundoora campus by State Member for Bundoora, Colin Brooks MP and Director of Apprenticeships Victoria, Franklin O’Carroll.

Australian government figures predict 80,000 workers will be needed in Australia’s construction industry in the next five years.

Caption (from L – R): Franklin O’Carroll, Director at Apprenticeships Victoria; Colin Brooks MP, State Member for Bundoora; Kylie Dillon, General Manager of College Operations, College of Vocational Education. Caption (from L – R): Franklin O’Carroll, Director at Apprenticeships Victoria; Colin Brooks MP, State Member for Bundoora; Kylie Dillon, General Manager of College Operations, College of Vocational Education.

Victoria’s Big Build is a part of this infrastructure boom and includes all the major road and rail projects that are set to transform the way we travel in this state. Some of these projects include the Metro Tunnel, the Regional Rail Revival, the North-East Link and the Melbourne Airport Rail.

RMIT offers pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship courses in three trade disciplines: electrical and instrumentation, plumbing and gas-fitting, and refrigeration and air-conditioning.

The state government funding boost will further equip RMIT’s College of Vocational Education with the tools and machinery it needs to provide high-quality modern apprenticeships and training, including work benches, welding bays, hand tools and laser levels, at its Bundoora campus.

RMIT trades pre-apprentice student Amin Eltoum said the grant will enhance students’ job readiness by giving them first-hand experience with the tools and machinery currently being used across Australia’s booming construction industry.

“The announcement means a lot to us because we’re going to have access to the same tools and facilities that we would be using on the job site,” Amin said.

“So, we’re going to be ready to work onsite, straight away,” he said.

 

Story: Nicole Martine

24 March 2022

Share

24 March 2022

Share

  • Student experience
Engage

Related News

AppleFoundationProgramFacilityLaunch.png

RMIT opens $1M learning space dedicated to Apple Foundation Program at City Campus

New learning space dedicated to the Apple Foundation Program at RMIT now open to teach technology skills for jobs of the future.

Key design and creative subjects ranked #1 in Australia, top 20 in the world

RMIT has secured its position as the nation’s leading institution for design and creative fields, with Architecture / Built Environment and Art & Design both ranked #1 in Australia and in the top 20 globally in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.

news-futureskills-1220px.jpg

Education and skills for the future: insights from sector leaders

Government, university and industry leaders discuss the skills we need for the future amid critical shortages in key industry sectors.

news-iclaunchext-1220px.jpg

Spanish language and cultural institute opens on City campus

Melburnians now have access to more Spanish language courses and cultural activities, with the opening of the Cervantes Institute’s office at RMIT University.

Show more
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

More information