What is New Manufacturing?

New manufacturing is the integration of mechanical engineering with electronics and computer-aided engineering in to the design, prototyping and manufacture of products and processes. The new technician in the smart manufacturing workplace will require skills in analysis and technical problem solving, manufacturing technology and team participation.

Career Opportunities in New Manufacturing

With the rapid advances in manufacturing technologies, the workplace of the future will be a far different place to the present. Manufacturing processes will require a great deal of knowledge and skills in the operation of flexible and integrated manufacturing processes. Technicians with highly developed technical skills as well as problem solving and project management ability will perform much of the work. The success of the Victorian and Australian manufacturing sector depends on the ability of the VET sector to provide such technicians. Swinburne’s intersectoral nature will provide students with the opportunity to build on their technical training through articulation pathways to degree level studies and beyond.

New Manufacturing at Swinburne TAFE

The Centre for New Manufacturing (the Centre) training is at the core of research, development, implementation and evaluation of training products and services for the new manufacturing industry. The Centre works strategically with government, industries, universities, key research centers and the Victorian vocational Education and training (VET) sector to identify knowledge and skills required for existing and emerging technologies.

Partnership with Industry

The Centre for New Manufacturing seeks to work in partnership with enterprises to jointly provide the skill development specific to their needs. The Centre:

undertakes skills analyses and skills audits
develops enterprise specific training
provides staff for on-the-job training
provides networking opportunities through seminars and course provision.

Outcomes

The Centre focuses on a number of outcomes that will contribute to the further development of Victoria’s economy, including:

	A skilled VET workforce that encompasses both industry trainers and VET practitioners in new teaching areas related to new manufacturing
	Innovative training programs from short courses to new diplomas with pathways into higher education
	Networks of education providers, research organizations, industry groups and manufacturing businesses
	Collaborative arrangements with researchers and industry to promote the commercialization of research outcomes
	Identification of emerging technologies and the resulting skills requirements of the manufacturing industry.

Centre Operations

The Centre sits within the Swinburne TAFE School of Engineering. A Head of Centre reporting to the School Director leads a small entrepreneurial team with technical and curriculum expertise. The team is supported by specialist staff on a project-by-project basis. The Centre is enhanced by its industry networks and partnerships with other education and training organisations.

An Advisory Board comprised of senior Swinburne TAFE Management, representatives of Cooperative Research Centres (CRC’s), universities, industry and government provides the team with advice on the strategic direction, engagement with industry and development of business opportunities.