Images courtesy ACT-UK
It will have the capacity to train thousands of building professionals a year, from project managers right through to apprentices.
“Master Builders will use the centre to up skill experienced workers and provide international best practice to the training of the next generation of building and construction apprentices,” Welch said.
“In Victoria we have highly skilled building and construction workforces. The BLSC will help us to maintain our competitive edge.
“As well as impacting workers, delays and accidents cost time and money. Experience in Europe shows that this style of training lifts employee performance, delivering safer, faster and more cost effective building.
“That is good for our workforce, good for employers and ultimately good for Victoria’s economy.”
He said the South Melbourne centre, due to open in July, would be a paradigm shift for industry training. Participants will practice communication and problem solving as they navigate two three-dimensional building sites projected onto a 15 metre wide panoramic screen.
“The BLSC is a totally safe environment where trainees can make mistakes without the risk of project delays, budget overruns or injuries that exist on real building sites,” Welch said.
Michiel Schrijver, owner and developer of the world's first simulation training centre for the building industry in the Netherlands said the European experience showed that this style of training developed communication and decision-making skills effectively.
“In a complex, competitive and rapidly changing environment, building professionals need strong communication and problem-solving skills as well as technical ability,” Schrijver said.
“Simulation training develops the component of performance that can’t be addressed by policy, procedure and process. It targets behaviour, culture and communication.”
BACKGROUND
Simulation training centres for the building industry have previously been launched in the UK and the Netherlands.
The BLSC will offer courses including advanced OHS, leadership, communication and apprentice training and deliver high-tech simulation learning as well as classroom and technical training.
A number of major Australian building firms have already committed to using the facility.
FAST FACTS
Construction is one of the five industries prioritised for improvement Under the Federal Government’s National OHS Strategy;
$7.5 billion was spent providing compensation during 2009-10 in all industries as a result of workplace accidents (Safework Australia); and
The incidence of serious injury claims was 19.7 per 1000 Building and Construction workers in 2009-10 placing it in the top five of 17 industries for frequency of serious claims (Safework Australia).
