Building Commission NSW launches first Construct NSW course in Mandarin
Building Commission NSW is making its Construct NSW learning platform more accessible to the state’s increasingly multicultural construction sector by launching its first course in Mandarin, with further translations in other languages to follow.
The Supervisor Responsibilities course is now available in two languages – English and Mandarin - ensuring a greater proportion of NSW workers will be able to recognise and define what adequate supervision looks like and their legal obligations on site.
With 11.2 per cent of the construction industry made up of Mandarin speakers, making it the most common non-English language spoken by workers, the launch is a significant milestone and one that will support safety and mentoring in the sector.
Supervision of workers and apprentices is a compliance focus of Building Commission NSW inspectors, with a targeted campaign for plumbing supervision beginning in June this year.
The Supervisor Responsibilities course covers various aspects of supervision in construction, allowing learners to interpret legislation that governs supervision requirements in NSW.
It also teaches course participants how to monitor and assess workplace practices of supervised workers to ensure quality standards are maintained.
Anyone who has a role or responsibility for supervising in the construction industry, such as a business owner, manager, superintendent, foreman or trainer is encouraged to take the course.
The cost of the course is $140, which can be undertaken online and at any time within six months of registration.
Additional languages and course translations of Construct NSW courses are currently in development with new courses expected to be shared between late 2025 and early 2026.
Learners can access the module by going to the Supervisor Responsibilities course on the TAFE NSW Construct NSW platform and selecting the Mandarin version.
Quotes to be attributed to NSW Building Commissioner, James Sherrard:
“Our role is to help drive compliance and enhance safety within the NSW construction industry and
to do that we need to ensure information that governs our industry is understood by all.
“By translating the Supervisor Responsibilities course for Mandarin speakers we’re taking a step towards making our Construct NSW courses accessible to more workers.
“With education a big focus for Building Commission NSW, we’re working towards making more courses available in multiple languages to meet the needs of our culturally diverse industry."