Illawarra Institute is the first TAFE in Australia to purchase a Targeted Technology Introduction Module (TTIMR).

SAGE Didactic, in association with its education partners, has developed the TTIM which provides a safe and challenging platform for users to gain hands-on experience and learn important problem-solving techniques.

Illawarra Institute was very proactive in their approach to acquiring the TTIM which was funded by the Commonwealth Government as part of the Training Infrastructure Investment for Tomorrow funding programme, in June 2009.

"This investment will help the Illawarra Institute refurbish and re-equip the Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing and Environmental Technology training facilities at the Wollongong campus and introduce new high level training methods," said Craig Fowler, Relieving Faculty Director Trades and Technology.

"This upgrade highlights the Illawarra Institute's proactive approach to ensuring students develop industry relevant skills to enhance the engineering industry in the Illawarra," added Craig.

TTIM is flexible enough to allow instructors to inject added complexities similar to real life situations into their training. Essentially this technology will enable Illawarra TAFE students to learn and hone their skills on the same industrial technology being used by Australia's leading companies.

This exciting technology is a total education module and its value lies in the fact that it is a flexible technology with the capacity to evolve with technological advancements and can easily fit into our existing curriculum," said Craig.