The centre, located at TAFE NSW’s Wetherill Park campus, will offer advanced manufacturing education and training across the engineering, transport and renewable energy sectors, positioning Western Sydney as a competitive location for global manufacturers to do business.

The Center of Excellence will be

• enable apprentices to access higher education whilst maintaining a focus on existing practical skills
• support the development of micro-skills and micro-qualifications, enabling TAFE NSW to respond rapidly to emerging skills needs in emerging high-tech industries
• provide apprentices with access to cutting-edge equipment and technology, including smart factories, industrial 3D printing, and automated and robotic manufacturing
• establish partnerships with university partners to share knowledge and collaborate on course design and delivery, thereby strengthening the links between vocational education and higher education
• develop partnerships with local industry to inform course design, provide access to expertise and take on apprentices and trainees, which will benefit 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 for an additional 1000 apprenticeships per year in advanced manufacturing and related industries.

To support a Made in Australia future, it is essential to increase the number of people skilled in advanced manufacturing.

The centre will strengthen the vocational education and training (VET) system by providing high-quality and flexible vocational training for 10,000 people over four years, adapted to the needs of the manufacturing sector, which is rapidly becoming digital.

This will ensure that New South Wales and Australia have the diverse skills base needed to support the country’s manufacturing sovereignty.

The Australian Government will invest $325 million under the five-year National Skills Agreement, which came into effect on 1 January 2024, to create a network of up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence in high-skills areas.

These centres will help provide a skilled workforce for strategically important industries to meet nationwide challenges.

Quotes attributed to Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles:

“The Western Sydney Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing is a great example of the real collaboration that exists between the Albany Government and the State Government.

“Together we are ensuring that TAFE is at the heart of the vocational education and training sector, which will benefit Australian businesses and workers.

The Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing will enable the delivery of high-quality and flexible vocational training in a sector that is crucial to our economy.

“This will help strengthen collaboration between universities and TAFE schools to produce a highly skilled workforce for a resilient manufacturing industry.

“I look forward to working with Skills Minister Steve Whan as we build the world-class vocational education sector we all know is essential to achieving a fairer society and a stronger economy.”

Quotes from New South Wales Premier Chris Minns:

“Today we deliver what we promised. TAFE Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Western Sydney, providing fully subsidised training for manufacturing apprentices.

“This will create a pipeline of skilled workers to ensure we have the fitters, machine operators and welders needed to support the thriving domestic advanced manufacturing industry in New South Wales.

“This government is investing in the future of manufacturing, ensuring workers have the latest skills and businesses have access to talent right here in Western Sydney.”

Quotes attributed to NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan:

“We need skilled workers in advanced manufacturing to power a clean energy future, overcome supply chain challenges and increase local production of renewable technologies and products.

“This centre will shape a workforce that can thrive in a modern manufacturing landscape. TAFE NSW – Western Sydney’s Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing will be a game-changer for local students and industry alike.

“Our groundbreaking investment in this Centre will ensure that graduates will receive cutting-edge qualifications developed collaboratively by TAFE NSW, industry and universities, free of charge.”

Quote attributed to McMahon County member Chris Bowen:

“Our region is already a manufacturing base and this investment will strengthen our position in training and creating jobs of the future.”