First sod turned on Construction Centre of Excellence

TAFE NSW’s new state of the art training centre in Penrith has made major progress with planning approval granted and construction now underway.

The NSW Institute of Applied Technology for Construction will be built on the TAFE NSW Nepean – Kingswood campus. Planning approval was granted in September for the $80 million project which will deliver a three-storey, 8,400sqm building and associated carpark and landscaping.

The facility will cater to approximately 700 students each year in a range of construction trades. The Institute will deliver innovative training models in network with industry, universities, vocational education and training (VET) and schools.

Penrith is an ideal location for the Institute due to the city’s strong local construction industry, young and growing population, and presence of many high schools. In addition, the Institute will be near Western Sydney University’s Werrington South campus, which sits adjacent to the Institute’s site.

Sydney-based ADCO Constructions will undertake the build, having celebrated the milestone with a sod turning ceremony in November.

At the event, Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said that the Institute will transform TAFE NSW Kingswood and provide state-of-the-art facilities.

“With its partners, the Institute will develop market-leading training in areas such as trades, smart construction, digital design, smart infrastructure, renewable energy, and supply chain skills.”

Construction is expected to be completed in late 2022, with the Institute open from March 2023.

For more information about the Institute of Applied Technology for Construction, visit the TAFE NSW website.