A range of new and innovative online courses are being provided to constructors this summer as the NSW government’s state-of-the-art digital training platform expands its offerings.

NSW building commissioner David Chandler says the digital platform, which is a partnership between the Office of the Building Commissioner and TAFE NSW, was produced to help to lift skills and capabilities in the ever-changing building and construction sector.

“All the modules are being developed in consultation with representatives from across the industry – architects, designers, builders, certifiers, engineers and so on – responding to their feedback on the priority learning gaps that are common across the field,” David says.

Two new modules, the Value of Australian Standards (cost $140) and the NSW Planning Portal (free) have just been published.

“The modules are short and sharp, only taking up to 2 hours each, and they can be done anytime, including when you’re offline. Another three modules will go live early next year relating to ethics, communication and the new Design and Building Practitioner laws,” David adds.

An additional 18 modules are expected to be rolled out throughout 2021.

“I encourage everyone in the construction industry to visit the platform and consider taking a module to help them enhance their professional capability. As we rebuild from COVID we want to establish a more capable and innovative workforce that can deliver NSW a pipeline of trustworthy buildings.”

The platform is part of the NSW Government’s Construct NSW transformation strategy that is establishing new benchmarks of industry performance to restore public confidence in residential construction.