Cutting-edge digital tools used on major infrastructure and construction projects will soon be in the hands of WA students, with a new partnership between Curtin University and Octave Intelligence set to build a future-ready workforce for Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

The Octave NextGen Builders Program will give students practical, hands-on experience using industry-grade digital construction software before they graduate, helping bridge the gap between university learning and real-world practice.

Across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, demand for skilled workers in construction, infrastructure and engineering continues to outpace supply, with major projects increasingly constrained by a shortage of digitally capable talent.

The program has been designed to address this challenge by preparing students for connected decision-making across the full lifecycle of infrastructure projects — from design and construction through to operation and protection — while also reshaping perceptions of careers in these sectors as technology-driven and innovation-led.

Through the partnership, Curtin will integrate Octave’s ‘OnSite Visualize’ software into selected construction and built environment units, enabling students to work with the same professional tools used across industry projects and gain practical, project-based experience.

Curtin Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management) Course Co-ordinator Dr Vasilios Papastamoulis and Associate Professor Jeremy Wu, Associate Head of the School of Design and the Built Environment, are co-leading the digital transformation of the B-CONM program over the next few years, with strong industry alignment seen as critical to ensuring graduates are workforce-ready.

“This partnership equips our students with in-demand digital skills and real-world experience, while highlighting the vital role careers in construction and infrastructure play in shaping Australia’s future,” Dr Papastamoulis said.

“Students participating in the program will learn how to transform complex Building Information Modelling (BIM) data into construction-ready work packages. Using industry-standard software they will combine and review federated models to detect and resolve clashes, producing well-coordinated models that support improved project sequencing, coordination and efficiency”

Octave Vice President APAC Fabio Yada said the program responded to both workforce shortages and the changing nature of modern infrastructure delivery.

“Critical industries are facing a dual challenge: a growing skills shortage and an ageing workforce, combined with the need to attract a new generation of digitally minded talent,” Mr Yada said.

“The NextGen Builders Program is about making sure graduates are ready for the reality of modern projects, where decisions across design, construction and operations are increasingly interconnected, but also about demonstrating that careers in these industries are innovative, high-tech and genuinely exciting.”

Liam Greyling, a Curtin student set to participate in the program, said it was an exciting opportunity to work with the same digital tools and technologies used across real construction and infrastructure projects.

“I'm looking forward to being part of this cutting-edge program, which bridges the gap between industry and the classroom, giving me the knowledge for success,” Liam said.

As the program grows, it is expected to expand to additional universities, supporting a stronger pipeline of digitally skilled graduates and helping position Western Australia as a leader in future-focused infrastructure and construction capability.