Orange Projects
Better TAFE Facilities - $3,094,303
- Construction of a Learning Innovation and Leadership Centre
- Increasing the Institute's E-learning capacity through improved video conferencing infrastructure .
An increased emphasis on educational delivery using information technology, including via videoconferencing, will decrease the amount of travel that teachers and students are required to undertake to attend training reducing carbon emissions from automotive travel.
Apprenticeship travel is currently a significant issue in Western NSW. - Updating the teaching and learning environment with newinformation and computer technologies.
- Wireless networking
- Purchase of equipment to enable the delivery of renewable energy training. This will support the uptake of renewable energy technologies in Western NSW by accrediting tradespeople to become installers of photovoltaic panels, solar hot water, wind turbines and the like.
- Refurbishment of existing facilities and purchase equipment to facilitate the delivery of the Diploma of Nursing at Orange, a major regional health centre.
- Purchase of a mining simulator to better service the existing needs of the mining industry, prepare local people for future employment in mining and build on several successful Aboriginal employment strategies that are already in place.
Students undertaking training with the mining sector will result in reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Simulated training will enable a focus on reducing environmental damage caused by mining. Training using this technology will also have considerably less impact on the environment than the actual operation of plant and equipment.
Training Infrastructure Investment For Tomorrow (TIIFT)
Green Skills Trades Centre - $2,075,500 (plus $312,000 from TAFE sources)
The Green Skills Trades Centre (GSTC) will be a purpose built, educational facility focusing on the delivery of training in renewable energies, electrical engineering, water efficiencies and low energy building design. The facility will be an exemplar for use of passive solar design, low energy building materials and renewable energy and water efficient systems in an educational setting while at the same time providing access to current technologies and increased green skills development opportunities for apprentices, tradespeople, school students, industry and the general community.
The facility will incorporate the following features:
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powered solely from energy generated from 3x 5 KW photovoltaic panels
- water harvesting for toilets and all gardens,
- solar hot water systems which will also assist with heating through a hydronic heating system
- double glazing and northern orientation to reduce heating costs
- insulation and wall claddings
- grey water system to support low maintenance gardens
- data logging systems to demonstrate energy and water savings
- external demonstration area for wind and solar power systems and energy efficient building materials
- cooling systems using thermal connector technology
- mobile trailer
The GSTC will include two seminar rooms, two electrical wiring and instrumentation workshops, energy and water systems demonstration laboratory, electrical theory room, equipment store, teacher office, toilets, kitchen, meeting room, six staff offices, administration/reception area and storage.
The GSTC will provide experiential learning opportunities that will ensure the electrical, plumbing and building industry in western NSW have the required skills and knowledge to support the implementation of government initiatives to reduce energy consumption and water usage.
The delivery of the Certificate II in Renewable Energy will provide the accreditation required by electricians to become installers of PV technologies. Diploma in Electrical Engineering students will have access to renewable energy technologies to ensure they have the skills to support the mining and manufacturing industries to engage with new technologies. Training for Certificate IV Plumbing, Building and Electrical Instrumentation students will support the take-up of energy and water efficient systems.
The project has extensive educational benefits both through the construction phase and from the ongoing educational programs that will be conducted. Western Institute proposes to manage the construction of the facility using pre-apprenticeship students supported by our Civil Engineering partners. Providing training opportunities for pre- apprentice students will ensure the availability of future building apprentices when the economy improves. Opportunities for the indigenous community to participate will be developed with indigenous Jobs for Australian employment services. Use of local tradespeople and purchase of building materials locally will maximise benefits for the local economy.
Each year TAFE Western supports trade training for over 2000 apprentices and 400 post trade students. Their training will be enhanced by opportunities to access specialist equipment and gain an understanding of how the new equipment can provide benefits in low energy and reduced water usage. It is estimated that over 800 existing students will utilise this facility each year, which will also be made available to industry, schools and community networks for awareness education and training.
April 2010
A typical simulator showing the view if the module were an above ground heavy earthmoving truck. The module works by simulating the environmental, mechanical and physical features of the plant it is representing.
