RMIT University has launched a one-of-a-kind suite of vocational education skill sets to prepare the local building design and construction workforces for the clean economy future.
The three qualifications, known as the Sustainable Building Design Skill Sets, will provide existing and new workers with knowledge across sustainable building design, construction and retrofitting, and operations.
Skill sets are short courses for students looking to upskill, or to complement broader qualifications, including construction project management, architecture and industrial design.
The skill sets will be fee-free during the pilot in 2024, before they are assessed for possible continued delivery.
The skill sets have been developed with funding from the Victorian government’s $6 million Clean Economy Workforce Capacity Building Fund.
RMIT deputy vice-chancellor, Mish Eastman, said RMIT and its College of Vocational Education is primed to support the transition to a clean economy through the co-creation and delivery of new and emerging skills.
“These sustainable building design skill sets are an example of true industry embedded co-design that ensures we address the real workforce challenges through meaningful skills solutions,” she said.
Today’s job market is evolving, and so are young people's choices in vocational training. Renewable energy jobs, such as solar panel installation and heat pump engineer are becoming popular due to increasing environmental concerns.
This shift reflects changing values and career interests, according to Confused.com which recently surveyed 2,000 young people aged between 16 and 24 years of age.
Confused.com is a comparison web site dealing with utilities and green energy.
The survey found renewable energy courses have a unique appeal due to their environmental benefits and future growth potential.
When it came to top career preferences, working with heat pumps made the top 10.