TAFE Queensland Robina Campus
PRE-2: Points of Distinction

The TAFE Queensland Robina Campus on the Gold Coast is the first vocational education and training (VET) campus in Australia designed from the ground up to be sustainable in building, fit-out, procurement, curriculum, operations, and culture.

*Building
The building has five levels of flexible multi-purpose training spaces, teaching rooms, student areas, break-out zones as well as ‘live training’ facilities including a restaurant, café, event centre, hair, barber, and beauty salons, and a gym. The building's modern design and construction practices meet sustainability ambitions and reduce greenhouse emissions including meeting the National Australian Built Environment 5-star rating standard with 250 solar panels providing renewable energy for the campus and maximised use of performance solar glass. The building and the process used won a Silver medal at the 2022 World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) awards.

*Fit-out
The fit-out includes recycled materials and ecological finishes throughout with installed sensor-activated lighting and LED task lighting. The fit-out's focus was to feature recycled materials and ecological finishing, including acoustic screens/partitions (such as Echo panel – made from recycled PET) to minimise noise, and paints, carpets, sealants, etc., low in volatile organic compounds making them better for the environment and people.
The campus has five levels of flexible technology-enabled multi-purpose training spaces, breakout rooms, collaboration booths, and student areas. Sustainability has been embedded in the fit-out design through consultation with staff.

*Procurement
During design, construction, and fit-out, sustainable procurement practices were implemented, and staff upskilled in managing sustainable supply chains. Sustainable supply chain management has been based on the Environmental Management System ISO14001/9001, Good Environmental Choice Australia, and Forest Stewardship Council ratings. Tenderers needed to be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, embedding social, environmental, and economic sustainability commitments within their businesses.
Robina Campus has implemented rigorous sustainable procurement practices and examination of supply chains to ensure suppliers source their products sustainably and ethically. The preference is to use local and small/medium enterprises where possible. Working with suppliers and staff to reduce waste, increase recycling and improve the waste mix on campus is a priority. Using Fairtrade products, energy-efficient equipment, implementing keep cup programs, and using locally sourced and in-season products in commercial cookery training and our onsite commercial services are just a few of the initiatives underway. Menus at the restaurant and café reflect a seasonal menu. Initiatives include a paperless campus, no plastic sold, reusable water bottles with hydration stations, recycling programs, organic composting, zero waste, and reusable supplies.

*Curriculum
Every student enrolled at Robina Campus completes a sustainability-focused or inclusive program of study. Every program of study including all units within the program has been mapped to the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). Our educators completed a 9-month Professional Learning Program (PLP) which involved learning about sustainability, the skills to embed sustainability, and the use of technology to deliver their programs. Students engage in weekly lunchbox sessions connected to sustainability and are exposed to sustainability messages through the use of communique, billboards, and TV screens throughout the building.
'Live training' facilities focus on responsible consumption and waste minimisation, giving students the opportunity to apply their newfound skills at various venues on campus. Students work on sustainability projects in partnership with local businesses and community organisations, gaining hands-on experience and building meaningful connections in the community. The live training environments provide immersive learning, particularly with an ecofriendly lens and ensure students graduate with not only the technical skill requirements of the job but a broader understanding of how to apply SDGs within a profitable business.

*Operations
Initially, Robina Campus completed a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions and waste audit, and forecast modelling was completed to inform targets to reduce carbon emissions, including baseline data drawn from other similar campuses. An environmental consultant specialist was engaged to produce the project-wide environmental sustainability report.
Statistics on usage and monthly tracking of current performance against sustainability targets are being monitored using a Building Management System (BMS) with a comprehensive Bi report tracking progress. The BMS has significant capabilities including separate metering lighting general power and mechanical services. The lighting system interfaces with the BMS and controls the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). The Bi report produces visuals that can be used to connect to the community using factors such as trees planted.

*Culture
At TAFE Queensland, we believe that vocational education and training have a key role to play in the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and to make sure we leave a better planet for future generations. TAFE Queensland is a signatory on the UN SDG Accord.
Our overall goal at Robina Campus is to lead the way as a sustainable vocational institution in Australia. The Robina Campus ensures that sustainability is embedded into every aspect of campus operation, including campus design, course curriculum, and student life. Robina Campus has selected 6 x SDGs - 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, and 13 as the main areas of focus.
The campus is an integral part of the Robina community with the public invited to use the campus café, restaurant, hair and beauty salons, fitness centre, and event venue which are all run by students and their teachers. The Robina campus is not just a place of learning for our students, but a place for the community to come together. Students practise their new-found skills, connecting with the local community at our live training facilities.

Robina Campus educators completed a nine (9) month Professional Learning Program (PLP) to empower students to be better global citizens by changing habits, making choices, and better caring for the planet. The program focused on supporting educators to embed sustainability knowledge and practices in all aspects of course delivery, assessment, and campus community life. Educators worked with their teams to gain an understanding of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and identify best practices aligned to their industry area. By embedding sustainability and applying industry-relevant standards and practices, educators could ‘walk the walk’ and ‘talk the talk’ with their students. Educators mapped every unit of course delivery to a selection of the UN SDGs. Supporting educators to embed sustainability across all program areas delivered at Robina, ensures that every student is fully immersed into the sustainability culture of the community.

To continue the development of educators, a Peer-to-Peer Classroom Observation PD initiative was implemented. Peer observation, as a professional learning opportunity, enables educators to share practice and learn from each other. Each time a Peer Observation is conducted a Peer to Peer Learner Engagement Observations document is completed and discussed with the educator who was observed. These observation documents are retained as evidence of continual improvement.

Educators and managers are also encouraged to post pictures and short write-ups regarding their peer observation experiences to share knowledge and build a community of practice within Robina. All educators at Robina Campus participate each term and at the end of each term, an overall champion is chosen and recognised within the faculty for their active learning, sustainability, and use of technology in their class.

The 'live training' facilities focus on responsible consumption and waste minimisation, giving students the opportunity to apply their newfound skills at various venues on campus. The services act as ‘live training’ venues for our students and include:
• Green Fields Bar + Restaurant - offers contemporary dining with amazing views for lunch and dinner
• Seedpod Café - ground floor café offers a place for students and locals to connect with healthier menu options
• Robina Events Centre (Conference and banquet centre) - can host events for up to 300 people for seminars and 200 people for banquet meals, and practising sustainability in all operations
• TQ Fitness (Fitness centre) - offers a full-service gymnasium, affordable personal training and group classes at competitive membership prices
• Nature's Escape Hairdressing and Barber Salon – in partnership with Sustainable Salons which takes our used plastics and salon metals to be sold and upcycled into products such as reading glasses and outdoor furniture
• Nature's Escape Beauty Salon – this venue provides opportunities for students to practise their skills on clients who are offered the services at a discounted rate to cover material costs.

The live training environments provide immersive learning, particularly with an ecofriendly lens and ensure students graduate with not only the technical skill requirements of the job but a broader understanding of how to apply SDGs within a profitable business. The gym, café, restaurant, event centre and salons are operated by TAFE Queensland, for profit, with staff employed to run the facilities and manage training in the live environment. This model ensures 100% commitment to the SDGs and the ability to positively influence training outcomes for students.

In providing live training opportunities for our students, the community using the services can see first-hand the quality level of training in operation. Community members support the students and venues through repeat business. The Greenfields Restaurant has been listed by Open Table (an online restaurant reservation platform) in its Top Ten for service and ambience. The Robina Event Centre is growing its bookings with the restaurant providing the catering for attendees. The facilities, technology, and the open deck looking towards the hinterland, all add to the value of the building as a commercial venue.