The Institute of Applied Technology – Construction (IATC), a collaboration between TAFE NSW, CPB Contractors, and Western Sydney University, has unveiled three new microskills as part of its course offerings.
These micro-skills, designed in partnership with industry experts, aim to enhance capabilities in the construction sector.
They include “Introduction to Women in Construction”, “Introduction to Sustainability in Construction”, and “The Role of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Construction”.
In a bid to encourage more women to pursue careers in construction, the IATC has also announced 60 fee-free training places in its micro-credential courses.
This initiative comes at a crucial time when the construction industry in Australia is facing a shortage of over 100,000 workers.
Rob Monaci, CPB Contractors General Manager Infrastructure NSW and ACT emphasised the need to attract skilled workers, particularly women, to meet the growing demand in the industry.
He stated: “We need to be doing more to attract people at all stages of their careers to transition into fulfilling careers in construction, particularly women.”
The micro-credentials offered by the Women in Construction Scholarship courses cover a range of high-growth areas, including project management, stakeholder engagement, and quality management in construction.
These courses, which take eight weeks to complete, are available online or face-to-face and provide industry-specific skills recognised as evidence of competence.
Director of Operations Institutes of Applied Technology Helen Fremlin encouraged women interested in a career in construction to take advantage of the free micro-credentials, which offer a practical learning journey.
She highlighted the regular educator-led sessions that provide students with industry-specific examples, tasks, and case studies.
The introduction of these new micro-skills focused on women, sustainability, and BIM is seen as a significant step in attracting new entrants to the workforce.
Western Sydney University Interim Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Clare Pollock, highlighted the importance of these courses in empowering women in construction and meeting Australia’s workforce needs.
To further promote careers in construction for women, TAFE NSW and Training Services NSW are organising a Girls in Trades virtual event on 22 May 2024.
The event aims to educate young women in schools and parents about the various career and study pathways available in construction and non-traditional trades.
Successful applicants for the Women in Construction Scholarships will also have the opportunity to participate in a pre-class connection session and visit a construction site in Sydney.
