$8 million tech fit-out for 'smart' Woden CIT as construction ramps up

As the new Woden CIT rises from the former bus interchange site, the ACT Government has announced $8 million worth of additional fit-out components and electronic equipment for the ‘smart campus’.

This comes as a second crane is added to the site and the hardwood timber frame, a key part of the project’s environmental credentials and helping it target a 6 Green star rating, is installed.

Electronic equipment to be installed includes augmented hearing systems, camera tracking capability, video conferencing equipment, LED wall displays, smart screens, microphones, amplifiers and speakers.

Modern commercial workstations, appliances, a demountable stage and creative art equipment will also be delivered.

The government says the campus in Woden will be Canberra’s largest new education facility enabled by smart technology, so students could either learn on campus or online.

At a site tour this week, Skills Minister Chris Steel said that the new CIT needed to be equipped with the latest technology and simulated learning environments to ensure each student graduated job-ready.

“We want to make sure that from day one, the campus has the technology and equipment to skill up students for the modern economy,” he said.

“We’ve been working very closely with CIT to design the elements that are required to fit in with the overarching vision for a CIT campus.”

Mr Steel said the new digitally enabled campus would also allow students to collaborate with local industry in a real-world commercial environment.

The community would also benefit from the project, with the new 1000-sqm-plus multipurpose hall and stage being available for events.

“It will be available for larger community events where theatre-style seating is required, and we expect that it will be used for music and those sorts of things, as well as, of course, the teaching and learning activities within the campus,” he said.

Mr Steel said the project’s feature timber frame and cross-laminated timber panels would cut the project’s carbon component by 59 per cent and enhance the learning environments.

He believed the Woden CIT was the most significant investment in TAFE infrastructure in Australia and would deliver state-of-the-art teaching capability.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the ACT economy needed these kinds of investments.

“We know business is calling for more skills in the workforce in particular industry sectors, that reflects the skill shortages that we have been experiencing,” he said.

“We’ve had a really strong labour market at the moment, so there is an onus now on governments at both levels to invest in vocational education and training.”

Mr Barr said the CIT, which will be integrated with the new transport interchange being built in Callam Street, was part of the wider transformation of the Woden Town Centre.

The next milestone for the project will come in the second half of the year when the building tops out at six storeys.

It remained on track for completion and opening in 2025.

The Woden CIT will teach a range of subjects, including IT, cyber security, hospitality and business, welcoming 6500 students each year.