12 June 2008
Victoria University's new Fabrication Workshop at Sunshine Campus was opened today (Thursday June 12). The event was attended by the Federal Minister for Education, Julia Gillard who unveiled a plaque commemorating the occasion.
The extension of the Whitten Building which houses the Fabrication Workshop was supported by funding of $13.6 million from the Commonwealth Capital Infrastructure Program. This development was part of VU's Engineering and IT Consolidation Project at both Sunshine and Footscray Nicholson campuses.
Total funding for the equipment in the building was $1,347,852. Of this $333,361 was Commonwealth Government funding in 2007 and 2008 received via the State of Victoria and $1,014,491 was Victorian Government funding.
The workshop is the best equipped in Australia. Students learn the latest techniques in manufacturing using industry standard equipment which ensures they have the training outcomes expected by industry.
VU's Vice Chancellor, Professor Elizabeth Harman, said: "The new Fabrication Workshop is part of VU's commitment to be a leader in construction and manufacturing with strong links to industry based at Sunshine."
"Technology has dramatically changed the way that the fabrication industry operates. No longer do we simply train welders or boilermakers who remain in that occupation for life. Our facility has been designed with equipment selected to allow students a choice about their career path with multiple entry and exits points."
"It allows a student to go from Certificate II - a basic foundation course to a Diploma qualification, through to a degree in Engineering."
"Higher Education and Vocational Education are providing courses that include operational, supervisory, managerial and technical specialisation which gives students current employability skills along with the traditional technical skills."
"As a multi sector university, VU has the distinct advantage of collaboration between its Higher Education and Vocation Education Faculties in the development of both practical and academic resources."
In the Fabrication Workshop students learn the latest techniques in manufacturing, including: Virtual Reality 3D Design; Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing; Digital Scanning - Reverse Engineering; and Computer Integrated Assembly - Mechatronics.
The facility is equipped with the latest Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) equipment.
Professor Harman said: "Our students have typically been trade/trainee students, however now we have the capability to include design, proto typing, reverse engineering which typically is delivered to higher level students who need to develop skills in problem solving, team interaction, and decision making. The need to cross disciplines breaking down siloed skills and knowledge is the catalyst for economic sustainability in the new world of manufacturing."
"An example of the investment made in equipment is our Mechatronics Training System, one item of which cost $250,000. Not only is our equipment up to date - in some instance it is beyond what industry currently uses."
"We have students from many industries ranging from large organisations like Toyota through to smaller companies - and we will be expanding our industry relationships as the facility has the capacity to grow in the future."
"VU plans to be the major higher, vocational and further education provider in the fast growing western region of Melbourne for which the Engineering and IT Consolidation Project is a significant step forward."
"The opening of our new Fabrication Workshop today is one example of VU's commitment to ensure that our students have the skills that industry is asking for when they complete their courses, guaranteeing that they will be job and future ready. Being based at Sunshine the workshop concentrates complementary training sectors at one site which is central and accessible to manufacturing in Melbourne's west."
A backgrounder on the Fabrication Workshop is available on request
Media Contacts:
Ms Christine White, Media Manager,
Marketing & Communications Department, Victoria University
Ph: (03) 9919 4322; mobile: 0434 602 884
Media Contact: Andy Gash, Snr. Media Officer,
Marketing & Communications Department, Victoria University
Ph: (03) 9919 4950; mobile: 0411 255 900
