The Morrison Government has provided $7.2 million to extend an advanced apprenticeship pilot to teach students high-level specialist knowledge and skills to prepare them for industry jobs of the future.
RMIT, Swinburne University of Technology, University of Technology Sydney, University of Tasmania, University of Western Australia, and University of Queensland will participate in the advanced apprenticeship-style Digital Technologies (Industry 4.0) pilot.
The expanded program will strengthen partnerships between industry and the six participating universities, deepen links with local businesses, and help foster a culture of collaboration between higher education and industry.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan said the Morrison Government was facilitating stronger relationships between universities and industry to drive innovation, productivity gains and produce highly-skilled graduates.
“Innovative education design and delivery, offered in close collaboration with industry partners, is the key to developing the workforce of the future,” Mr Tehan said.
“Our Job-ready Graduates package will establish a $900 million National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund – with a strong focus on investment in STEM industries – to support universities to produce job-ready graduates for their local industries and communities.”
Siemens Australia Chairman and CEO Jeff Connolly today announced a major software grant to RMIT to boost the capability of the Advanced Manufacturing Precinct and help drive workforce transformation.
“COVID-19 is forcing Australians and Australian businesses to look for new ways to keep our economic engines running,” Mr Connolly said.
“Digitalisation has no borders and we have to learn how our economy can participate and thrive and be resilient in global economy.
“This requires new ways of thinking, new ways to collaborate and new skills across the entire spectrum of the workforce. Digitalisation technologies and skills are critical to Australia’s prosperity in this new world.”
RMIT Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the College of Science, Engineering and Health and Vice-President for Digital Innovation Professor Aleksandar Subic said Industry 4.0 would impact every sector.
“We expect as many as 10,000 RMIT students across the dual sector and a range of STEMM disciplines including engineering, science, technology, health and design to access some of the most advanced industrial software for Industry 4.0 through project based and work integrated learning,” Professor Subic said.
“It has never been more important to provide this type of industrial digital environment for the development of workforce of the future that allows teams to co-design and co-create innovative solutions across borders and industry sectors remotely.”
Eligible students will commence the program in early 2021.
