Lean on TAFE for manufacturing training
21 January 2005
Editorial for Australian Manufacturing Technology magazine.
Kangan Batman TAFE is establishing a Competitive Manufacturing Centre to provide a one-stop-shop for manufacturing-related training programs and services.
While Kangan Batman TAFE has a long history of delivering manufacturing training in the automotive, aerospace, polymer, furniture and clothing industries, a new approach to this training will be coordinated through the new industry-focussed centre.
Programs are being developed in conjunction with individual enterprises and are offered in a customer-centred manner. Courses to be offered through the centre range from Certificate II to Advanced Diploma levels, as well as industry short courses and customised programs. The centre will also coordinate introductory manufacturing training for secondary school students through the VET in Schools and VCAL programs as well as assisting the existing workforce in developing and enhancing their skills.
Kangan Batman TAFE has been a key player in the implementation of the Competitive Manufacturing Initiative (CMI) - the new national training package developed by the Manufacturing Skills Council and the Australian National Training Authority. Kangan Batman TAFE was one of only five TAFE institutes selected nationally to trial the CMI with its industry clients, by delivering CMI competencies onsite in three automotive companies.
All training offered through Kangan Batman's Competitive Manufacturing Centre will reflect the principles of the CMI, which aims to increase the global competitiveness of Australian manufacturers by providing training with a stronger focus on:
- the design and innovation process
- leadership of manufacturing practice
- preventative maintenance systems
- technological system improvement, and
- integrated business and logistical support.
Lean manufacturing principles will also underpin all training programs delivered by the Competitive Manufacturing Centre.
Students will be able to learn on-campus in the simulated manufacturing environment to be located in Kangan Batman TAFE's existing state-of-the-art Polymer Engineering Centre in Broadmeadows. As is currently the case, Kangan Batman's trainers will also be able to develop flexible on-site training solutions for manufacturing companies, fitting training programs around production schedules.
In addition to nationally-accredited manufacturing qualifications, staff training programs can be tailored to include areas such as WELL training (Workplace English Language and Literacy), health and safety procedures and risk assessment.
Kangan Batman's manufacturing training is supported by the latest technology. For example, the Polymer Engineering Centre has a Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimeter (MDSC) - a research-grade plastics analysis tool used to identify existing materials and characterise new materials.
The MDSC measures the thermal behaviour of polymers in the temperature range from minus 90 to 725 celsius (i.e. melting point, glass transition temperature, heat of fusion, and specific heat). Crystallisation and reaction kinetics of reactive materials can also be analysed. The MDSC is used for training purposes but is available for use by industry.
Kangan Batman TAFE is also equipped with the latest in CAD/CAM technology, which is used across a range of training areas including aerospace, automotive, polymer engineering, electrotechnology, engineering, fashion, furniture-making, horticulture and multimedia as well as in the Design for Industry course.
Kangan Batman TAFE is the only Victorian training provider with the full suite of CATIA CAD/CAM programs (used by most car manufacturers world-wide and all aerospace manufacturers).
Kangan Batman's fashion students have access to the latest in fashion design and production technology, through the institute's partnership with Lectra. This partnership means students are trained using the Lectra CAD/CAM system, which is used world-wide in the textiles, clothing and associated industries. Kangan Batman TAFE also has a Lectra Alys 30 Plotter, for plotting files received via the Internet, and is the only TAFE in Victoria to have the Versalis sample cutter, Lectra's prototyping design tool which cuts fabric, paper and cardboard patterns.
For further information contact the Industry Training Department at Kangan Batman TAFE on (03) 9254 3045 or by e-mail to industrytraining@kangan.edu.au.
