Chisholm Institute’s Building & Construction team with the iBuild team at our Heidelberg West facility.
Chisholm Institute’s Building & Construction team with the iBuild team at our Heidelberg West facility.
iBuild recently had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from Chisholm Institute’s Building & Construction team to our Heidelberg West facility. As a premium Victorian Government-owned TAFE, Chisholm plays a vital role in shaping the state’s workforce. This visit focused on exploring meaningful collaboration between industry and education to deliver practical benefits for learners, the construction sector, and the wider community.
The delegation was led by Associate Director of Trades Christine Brown and Manager Adam Laxton, and included Education Managers Dan Mullins, Corey Ward, and David Pote, alongside Trainers Jim Lynch and Brent Marshall. The team brought a wealth of vocational education expertise and a clear commitment to ensuring their graduates are ready for the demands of a rapidly modernising construction industry, including modern construction methods.
Seeing the Process First-Hand
The Chisholm team observing iBuild’s precision manufacturing process in action.
The Chisholm team observing iBuild’s precision manufacturing process in action.
This hands-on environment sparked thoughtful discussion about the challenges facing the construction sector. A key focal point was the experience of owner builders – everyday Australians who take on the significant responsibility of managing their own building projects. Often, they step into this role with limited formal training, compared to licensed builders who bring accumulated knowledge and professional experience built over many years.
Bridging the Gap Through Education
iBuild is an award-winning supplier of kit homes across the world
A standout outcome of the visit was a mutual commitment to co-design a dedicated short course for owner builders. Navigating a build project independently – across planning permits, procurement, contractor management, and compliance – is a significant undertaking. Without the right preparation, it can become an unnecessarily stressful one.
Working together, iBuild and Chisholm are well-positioned to develop a highly practical, industry-informed programme. As a trusted, government-backed institution, Chisholm brings proven vocational training frameworks and experience to help owner builders fast-track their understanding of how to navigate and manage the build process.
As iBuild Managing Director Jackson Yin puts it: “Over the past decade, we have built strong partnerships with a dozen universities. Today, we are delighted to expand that commitment by partnering with Chisholm – a leading Victorian TAFE – to help everyday Australians fast-track their journey as owner builders.”
It is precisely this kind of partnership – between a leading Victorian TAFE and an award-winning Australian manufacturer – that bridges vital industry gaps and strengthens outcomes for learners, tradespeople, and the Australians who entrust their building projects to them.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Chisholm Building & Construction team for their time, enthusiasm, and shared vision. We look forward to what we can build together.