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, located at TAFE NSW's Wetherill Park Campus, will deliver advanced education and training in manufacturing across the engineering, transport and renewable energy sectors, boosting Western Sydney's competitiveness as a place for global manufacturers to do business.
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 technology, 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 expertise, and host apprentices and trainees, providing benefits to both employers and learners.
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.
Increasing the number of people qualified in advanced manufacturing is vital to support a Future Made in Australia.
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.
This will ensure NSW and Australia has the diverse skills needed to support the country's manufacturing sovereign capability.
The Australian Government is investing $325 million under the five-year National Skills Agreement that began on 1 January 2024, to establish a network of up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence in areas of high skills needs.
These Centres will help deliver a skilled workforce for strategically important industries to meet national challenges.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
"The Western Sydney Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence is a great example of the genuine collaboration that is happening between the Albanese and State Governments.
"Together, we're putting TAFE at the heart of the vocational education and training sector, to the benefit of Australian businesses and workers.
"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.
"It will help boost collaboration between universities and TAFEs to grow a highly skilled workforce for a resilient manufacturing industry.
"I look forward to working with Skills Minister Steve Whan as we build a world-class vocational education sector that we all know is vital for us achieving a fairer society and a stronger economy."
Quotes attributable to the NSW Premier Chris Minns:
"Today we are delivering what we promised. A TAFE manufacturing centre of excellence in Western Sydney providing fully subsidised training for manufacturing apprentices.
"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.
"This government is investing in the future of manufacturing, so workers have the latest skills and businesses have access to talent right here in Western Sydney."
Quotes attributable to the NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan:
"We need skilled workers in advanced manufacturing to power our clean energy future, overcome supply chain challenges, and boost local production of renewable technology and products.
"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.
"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."
Quote attributable to the Member for McMahon, Chris Bowen:
"Our area is already a manufacturing base, and this investment will cement our place in training and creating the jobs of the future."
