The nearly completed expansion of SuniTAFE’s plumbing training space will allow for more students to be trained in the vital skills required for plumbing careers. 

The concept for the renovations seems simple: an additional learning space was built onto the pre-existing structure, and an under-utilised lounge space was converted into a small computer lab. 

However, this change will make a big difference for the apprentices who are enrolled in a plumbing qualification at SuniTAFE. 

SuniTAFE’s plumbing teachers are looking forward to having apprentices use the new workshop in the coming weeks. 

“When some of us first started teaching here, we had 38 apprentices. Now we have 85, so it has more than doubled and we really needed the room,” the teachers said. 

“The tasks in the new plumbing training package are a lot bigger now too and require more space and materials.
This new area will help that because they will do anything in here from putting a roof on a structure to fitting gas lines and underground drainage.” 

The addition of more computers will also improve student accessibility to their learning materials. 

“A lot of the bookwork for the course is online now and even some of their assessment tasks are completed using the computers,” they said. 

“They aren’t getting printouts to go through, it’s all on an online portal. All of the plumbing regulations they have to follow are online now too so it is important that they have better access to computers daily.” 

SuniTAFE’s plumbing department consistently strives to provide students with industry relevant learning experiences. The teachers believe that these new changes to the training space will help to do so. 

“We’re as up-to-date as we can be with training and we provide students with a simulated workplace environment,” they said. 

“Our department receives weekly webinars from the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and we attend Plumbing Trainers Moderation Group Australia (PTMGA) meetings in Melbourne every two months to keep current with all the latest trends in plumbing. 

“What students do on the job is exactly what they’ll do here.” 

Are you interested in a career in plumbing? Click here to see the courses on offer at SuniTAFE.