Industry 4.0 advanced apprenticeship pilot gains $7.2 million funding extension

The federal government has extended an advanced apprenticeship pilot, involving six universities and industry partners, with the next intake of students to begin early next year.

The “Digital Technologies (Industry 4.0)” pilot is an advanced apprenticeship-style program involving RMIT, Swinburne University of Technology, University of Technology Sydney, University of Tasmania, University of Western Australia, and University of Queensland, and has gained a $7.2 million funding extension.

“Innovative education design and delivery, offered in close collaboration with industry partners, is the key to developing the workforce of the future,” said federal education minister Dan Tehan, who made the announcement on Thursday.

Siemens also announced a software grant to RMIT to “to boost the capability of the Advanced Manufacturing Precinct” at the university.

The company’s ANZ CEO Jeff Connolly said the Covid-19 pandemic was forcing companies to adopt new ways of operating.

“Digitalisation has no borders and we have to learn how our economy can participate and thrive and be resilient in [the] global economy,” he said.

“This requires new ways of thinking, new ways to collaborate and new skills across the entire spectrum of the workforce. Digitalisation technologies and skills are critical to Australia’s prosperity in this new world.”

RMIT’s Vice-President for Digital Innovation Professor Aleks Subic said Industry 4.0 would leave no industry untouched.

“It has never been more important to provide this type of industrial digital environment for the development of [the] workforce of the future that allows teams to co-design and co-create innovative solutions across borders and industry sectors remotely,” he said.

Picture: vdc.edu.au

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