The Engineering Institute of Technology’s new West Perth campus aims to bolster engineers’ ability to tackle climate change.
Engineers’ role in addressing climate change was highlighted at today’s opening of the new Engineering Institute of Technology campus in West Perth.
The EIT has completed the relocation of its teaching facility from Canning College to West Perth, following its purchase of the Thelma Street property in 2022.
The institute spent $6 million upgrading 6 and 8 Thelma Street ahead of its move.
Minister for Training and Workforce Development Simone McGurk spoke at today’s opening, stressing the importance of engineers to improving the livability of Western Austraila.
“Whether it’s in medical science, whether it’s in jobs, and development [to enjoy] the way of life that we all have here in Western Australia, [which is] reliant on the resources sector, we know that we have to do things smarter,” she said.
“We know we had to walk on the earth in a more gentle way than we’ve done in the past, … in a more sustainable way.
“And we know that we will be relying on well-educated people to utilise the capacity of science and technology to bring all of those things together so we can enjoy our way of life.”
WA chief scientist Peter Klinken pointed to the state government’s upcoming 10-year science and technology plan, which would incorporate historical indigenous knowledge with modern technology.
“Science, technology, engineering and mathematics affects every part of our lives,” he said.
He too stressed the crucial role the science sector plays in addressing climate.
“One of the greatest challenges facing humanity is climate change and it’s going to take smart people to come up with solutions,” he said.
“Engineers are going to be fundamental in providing the tools in enabling us to have a city, country, state, planet where our kids can thrive.”
A classroom of the EIT West Perth campus. Photo: Claire Tyrrell
The Engineering Institute of Technology is a Perth-headquartered private college with a presence in 160 countries.
Globally, the institute is training 6,000 students, including 700 in Western Australia.
EIT Dean Steve Mackay said 400 of these were on campus and the remaining 300 trained online.
The institute grew significantly during COVID, due to its online courses. Prior to COVID, EIT in WA had about 200 enrolled students.
“There has been huge growth in online, so this [new campus] will be the tethering point for that,” Mr Mackay told Business News.
“The future is online, but when you leave school it’s important to have a physical location you can socialise.”
Mr Mackay explained that the institute offered vocational educational training and higher education courses for engineers, providing diplomas, bachelors, masters and doctoratal degrees.
Engineers Australia general manager WA Susan Kreemer Pickford also spoke at the opening, saying engineers had an opportunity and an obligation to work together to improve the quality of living for the population.
She said engineers played a key role in providing clean water and sanitation, sustainable energy sources, creating strong and resilient infrastructure and livable cities.
Ms McGurk acknowledged the constraints surrounding the state’s skilled workforce, with labour shortages impacting every sector including engineering.
She said she spoke with Federal Home Affair Minister Clare O’Neil and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles this morning about how the country would meet its skills requirements.
“Some of that will be bringing skilled migrants but our priority is to train the local community,” Ms McGurk said.
