Future of construction education (in progress)

What we are doing and why

As new paradigms and technologies emerge for the design and delivery of buildings, there is an increasing gap between the capabilities, skills, and approaches to present-day education in the fields of construction management, building surveying, design, and skilled trades. Research identifies that new sets of skills are required for the implementation of digital modelling, data analysis and automation. Similarly, the development of sustainable cities requires a focus on skills and competencies related to green building practices, energy efficiency, and the use of renewable resources.

In Australia, there is an emerging range of building industry actors who are delivering built environment infrastructure using prefabrication, digitalisation, and automation. As the construction sector continues to shift towards adopting this paradigm, a gap between present training, education and continuing education is evidence. The gap is also present in areas such as certification, regulation, manufacturing, supply chain management and accreditation. New educational approaches and programs are needed to address these issues.

The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is supporting research by the Building 4.0 Cooperative Research Centre, Monash University and the University of Melbourne to contribute to the body of knowledge on the future skills required for the building and construction industry, and the role of technology and automation in meeting those skill demands.

The research will provide valuable insights for higher education institutions in the development of contemporary, forward-looking industrialised construction degrees, and will have broader implications for workforce development in the building and construction industry highlighting the skills and training required to meet the industry’s changing landscape.

Building 4.0’s Professor Chris Knapp is leading with research along with Dr Priya Das and Dr Siddhesh Godbole.

The project is jointly funded by Building 4.0, VBA and industry partners Holmesglen Institute, A.G. Coombs, Fleetwood Australia, Lendlease Digital, Nexans, Sumitomo Forestry Australia, and The Master Builders Association of Victoria.

What we have achieved so far

This research project commenced in February 2024 and is due for completion in 2024-25.