Victoria has launched Australia’s first accredited, long-form qualification focused on prefabricated home construction, as the building industry prepares for growing use of modern methods of construction.
The Certificate III in Prefabrication Installation will be delivered at Melbourne Polytechnic’s Heidelberg West campus through the Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence. Students will receive hands-on training alongside flexible blended learning designed to prepare them for work in prefabrication and modular construction.
Prefabricated homes are built partly or fully off-site before being transported and assembled at their final location. Supporters of the approach say it can help improve construction efficiency and deliver homes more quickly, although the sector continues to face challenges around transport, planning, supply chains and the skills needed to support wider adoption.
The new qualification was developed in consultation with industry and is aimed at workers entering a field that covers the design, manufacture, transport, assembly and installation of components used in modern construction.
Victoria is home to more than 200 companies working across the modern methods of construction sector. The new Certificate III adds to four industry-designed short courses already being delivered through the Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence, which are aimed at helping existing workers and businesses adopt newer construction techniques.
The $50 million centre is jointly funded by the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments and operates as a national hub for training, research and innovation across Australia’s building industry.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said a larger pipeline of housing would require workers with the skills to support changing construction methods.
“Building more homes, more efficiently starts with building the skilled workforce Australia needs,” Giles said.
“This new qualification will help more Australians develop the practical skills needed to embrace modern construction methods and deliver more homes, faster.”
Victoria’s Minister for Skills and TAFE Colin Brooks said the state’s construction industry employed nearly 350,000 people and would need new skills as technology changed how buildings were made.
“New technology means new skills. This course makes sure our tradies are ready for it,” Brooks said.
Housing and Building Minister Nick Staikos said the qualification would help develop workers for a sector focused on producing homes through off-site construction.
Federal Member for Jagajaga Kate Thwaites said the programme would give local students access to training connected to emerging opportunities in the housing industry.
Melbourne Polytechnic CEO Frances Coppolillo said the Certificate III had been created to give workers the practical skills and confidence needed for careers in modern methods of construction.
The qualification is expected to support students seeking careers in prefabrication installation while contributing to a broader push to expand the workforce available to Australia’s housing sector.
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