We were joined by Federal Minister for Training and Skills Andrew Giles and Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney at our Heidelberg campus for the official inauguration of the Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence (FHCCoE) on Thursday 2 October.
The Ministers were joined by industry representatives and dignitaries from government, industry and the education sector. Together they met students who are enrolled in programs at the Heidelberg Campus who will become members of the future workforce.
The FHCCoE is a national hub for collaboration, innovation and training in modern methods of construction. It has been established to help address Australia’s urgent housing challenges and the need for more affordable, sustainable homes built at speed.
Developed in close partnership with industry and supported by $50 million in funding from the Federal and Victorian Governments, the Centre has already launched its first short course, Rethinking Construction – Introduction to Modern Methods of Construction.
This program introduces workers and students to prefabrication, modular and volumetric construction principles. It will form part of a broader suite of new courses, micro-credentials and qualifications.
Training delivered through the FHCCoE will support the transformation of Australia’s housing construction sector by accelerating the adoption of modern methods of construction, sometimes referred to as prefabricated, modular or off-site construction.
Its reach and impact will extend far beyond our Heidelberg facility, providing training and development programs that can be offered by TAFEs and other training and education providers nationwide.
Melbourne Polytechnic CE Frances Coppolillo said the inauguration represents an exciting milestone and an important step in building a workforce equipped for the future of construction.
“By working with partners to drive innovation and address skills gaps, the Centre will help industry to evolve and embrace modern construction methods, making a huge difference as it wrestles with the challenges of how to build more affordable homes for our growing population.”
The FHCCoE is supported by leading industry bodies including prefabAUS, MBAV, Building 4.0 CRC, BuildSkills Australia, VSA, HIA, Tradeswomen Australia and Empowered Women in Trades, with further partnership opportunities to emerge. These partnerships ensure the training pathways directly respond to sector needs while fostering diversity and innovation across the workforce.
Work is also underway to design and build a new purpose-built facility at the Heidelberg Campus, which will serve as a national showcase of modern methods of construction. Building is set to commence in 2026.