Works Starts on the Integrated Centre for Sustainable Construction Technologies

Construction work has commenced on Box Hill Institute’s Integrated Centre for Sustainable Construction Technologies (ICSCT) at the Lilydale Lakeside campus. The ICSCT will deliver industry-current apprenticeship training in wood, electrical and plumbing trades, providing the region with a range of training opportunities around sustainable construction practices and technologies and addressing key gaps in training available in Melbourne’s outer east to meet the region’s growing demand for skilled workers. 

Innovative training on the core trades of carpentry, plumbing and electrical will focus on sustainability, future skill needs and employability skills. For example, specific courses will be offered in relation to Passive House for tradespeople and building design. Passive House principles will be embedded in post-trades training including Certificate IVs, Diplomas of Building and Advanced Diplomas of Building Design. 

Training in prefabricated timber construction and cross laminated timber (CLT) will be delivered in an adaptable classroom layout with open areas between plumbing, electrical and carpentry, and significant indoor and outdoor workspaces to enable both off-site and on-site construction activities that are integral to the success of the model. Box Hill Institute leads the way in building design through collaborative learning with sustainable building materials using CLT and several trainers have won awards for sustainable construction. 

The ICSCT will also have the capacity to deliver courses in electrical solar, smart or green building and post-trades training in solar, renewable energy design. Plumbing programs will incorporate skills and knowledge associated with water harvesting and recycling, solar hot water and geothermal heat pump systems. 

Completion of the ICSCT is expected in April 2021.