WSU Kingswood to be the next technology hub for the Aerotropolis

Western Sydney University has plans for a three-story facility to deliver job training to set up the future of Sydney’s west, honing the minds of people in the education, construction and transport sectors.

A three-storey ‘Accelerator’ facility, proposed by Western Sydney University, is set to deliver future-ready training, jobs and industry partnerships in western Sydney.

It aims to nurture education, employment and technology uptake in sectors like advanced manufacturing, construction, transport and logistics.

The facility is proposed to go up in Kingswood, adjacent to the future NSW TAFE Institute for Applied Technology for Construction.

The proposal has been presented to both state and federal government in a bid to secure funding for the job and education hub.

The proposed Accelerator is a three-storey facility to create new jobs and technology uptake for local businesses in sectors like advanced manufacturing, construction, transport and logistics.

Mechatronics and robotics engineering student, Kartik Kumar, said he was excited for the future prospects offered by the Accelerator project.

Mr Kumar is part of the solar car team at WSU which placed first in the American Solar Challenge, beating the prestigious Michigan University’s 17-year winning streak during their first attempt and is a top competitor in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. He believes the facility would provide greater opportunities for its venture.

“The facility would greatly benefit the solar car team as collaboration with the program would enhance the innovation and ensure the team stays at the front of precision engineering and advanced manufacturing,” he said.

“As an engineering student, I’m excited to see the Accelerator going up because it’ll be the stepping stone that brings industry 4.0 into our reality out west.

Kartik Kumar is an engineering student and part of the solar car team at Western Sydney University.

Industry 4.0 is the term used to represent the fourth industrial revolution which is distinguished from the other ‘revolutions’ by its readiness to embrace smart technologies (like artificial intelligence and robotics) to drive intelligent action in the physical world.

“The accelerator facility would benefit students like me because it gives us an opportunity to have a local space to launch our careers and get prepared for when industry 4.0 is up and thriving,” Mr Kumar said.

Western Sydney University's solar car that was built in house.

Western Sydney University's solar car was tested in the outback.

It is not just students that are set to benefit. Businesses are also set to come out winners with the facility.

“For the community, the facility gives local enterprises the opportunity to dip their toes in the water and see how industry 4.0 can benefit them,” Mr Kumar said.

An uptake of industry 4.0 in the west will allow businesses to become more efficient. For example, we could see them create ‘digital twins’ of products to brainstorm the ‘what if?’ scenarios without putting assets at risk or reducing workplace hazards by integrating assistive robots to perform repetitive and dangerous tasks.

The facility is projected to thrive so much that, under the 2018 Western Sydney City Deal, all three levels of government promised to create more than 200,000 knowledge jobs.

UWS president and vice-chancellor Barney Glover said the facility is meant to be a tool used to deliver this promise.

“The Tech Jobs Accelerator draws together the start-up-strengths of the region into a centralised hub and creates an interface between education and industry, ensuring a seamless connection between learning, training and employment,” he said.

Professor Barney Glover says the Accelerator will harness employment and partnership opportunities with international ‘blue chip’ corporates at the Aerotropolis for local businesses and industry leverage.

Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dr Andy Marks, said the university’s strength in delivering the plan was pivotal for the region.

“The Accelerator builds on the proven success of Launch Pad (hub for STEM businesses), to ensure Western Sydney residents benefit from the opportunities coming with the new airport and related infrastructure investments,” he said.

“Western Sydney University’s vision for the Accelerator is to ensure the advantages of the Aerotropolis, and other once-in-a-generation projects, are harnessed to western Sydney’s benefit. The incredible strength and resilience western Sydney has shown in recent months only increases the urgency to deliver on positive projects like this.”

Dr Andy Marks, Assistant Vice-Chancellor Western Sydney University, Director Centre for Western Sydney

Lindsay federal Liberal MP Melissa McIntosh said she was a fan of the project.

“I’m advocating for the establishment of the Tech Jobs Accelerator because I know it will help create and sustain more local jobs, for local people,” she said.

“There is an incredible opportunity for western Sydney to be at the forefront of the emerging industries, from advanced manufacturing to agribusiness, that are right around the corner.”

“The Morrison Government’s investment in the Western Sydney International Airport and Aerotropolis precinct is opening new and exciting jobs and possibilities, and the Tech Jobs Accelerator will play an important role in giving local people and businesses the best opportunity to grow and thrive.”