PICAC facility opens in Brunswick
Victorian plumbers will benefit from a $9 million training centre that will help grow the green plumbing sector and create jobs and economic opportunities for Victorian businesses.
The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre in Brunswick was officially launched on 8 April by the Premier, John Brumby, who said the Centre would provide plumbing practitioners with training focused on sustainability, energy saving, waste reduction and water conservation in the built environment. "Green plumbing is the number one skills issue for Victorian plumbers, with a recent report estimating that no more than 10 per cent of the State's 20,000 plumbers have sufficient green skills to meet the growing demand for environmentally sustainable plumbing," Mr Brumby said. "To date, 3,000 Victorian plumbers have attended Green Plumber's courses. This number will grow considerably as the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre rolls out its programs to the broader plumbing workforce. "PICAC will play a leading role delivering sustainability skills for the Victorian plumbing industry and will be critical for driving growth in the Victorian green plumbing sector and creating jobs." Mr Brumby said the building itself was 5 Star Green Star rated, making it a working example of innovative design and sustainable plumbing.
The Victorian Government contributed $2.1 million to the Centre with the Plumbing Joint Training Fund, Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union - Plumbing Division, Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia, Air-Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors' Association, National Fire Industry Association and the Plumbing Industry Commission all involved in contributing to getting the facility operational. Skills and Workforce Participation Minister, Jacinta Allan, said there was previously no practical training centre in Australia for the plumbing industry that offered integrated education and training programs related to the sustainability of buildings.
"This new Centre positions Victoria as an Australian leader in green skills" Ms Allan said. "The training delivered will complement existing TAFE plumbing courses." Deputy Plumbing Industry Commissioner, Sarah McCann-Bartlett, said the Centre was a credit to the industry and its united response to climate change. "This wonderful facility will allow qualified plumbers to gain hands-on experience in working with the green technologies that will put Victoria's plumbers at the forefront of the fight against global warming," Ms McCann-Bartlett said.
