A peak industry body says the lack of formal training for those who design, specify or work with precast concrete is becoming harder to ignore.
According to National Precast executive advisor, Sarah Bachmann, despite the construction industry embracing precast concrete for its speed, quality and sustainability benefits, training in the sector has a “glaring gap”.
“While the use of precast continues to grow across commercial, residential and infrastructure projects, there is still no nationally endorsed training program tailored specifically for precast concrete workers or for allied professionals such as builders, engineers and architects,” Ms Bachmann said. “Despite the critical role precast plays in modern construction, many of those on the tools, or in design offices, are left to learn on the job.”
So National Precast has launched a suite of online micro-credentials designed for specifiers, engineers, site installers, factory-floor workers, supervisors and anyone with a stake in precast. These micro-credentials are short, targeted and practical modules; each focuses on core industry knowledge and real-world application and earns a Certificate of Completion.
Participants who complete all 10 receive an industry-recognised Certificate: Fundamentals of Precast Concrete. The modules are sponsored by the Queensland Government and are available nationwide, however, they are available at no cost for those based in the state.
National Precast has also partnered with the Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance (MSA) to initiate a national update to the MSM Manufacturing Training Package, with the aim of embedding a precast concrete specialisation into formal Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications.
Currently in development, the MSM: Precast Concrete Manufacturing Skills project will see five new precast-specific units incorporated into Certificate II and III manufacturing qualifications. These new units will establish a nationally recognised precast skill set and means people can formally train in precast as part of a recognised career pathway, and employers will have an endorsed benchmark for hiring.
About the author
Desi Corbett
Desi is the Editor of Concrete in Australia, at the helm since December 2013, and our weekly news writer since 2016. Focused on concrete and construction for more than 11 years, her expertise in this field forms part of a journalism career spanning three decades. To get in touch please email desi@corbettcomms.com