AR Welding, AI and the Future of Advanced Manufacturing with TAFE NSW's Nick Whalan-Daniels (#204)

Recorded live in the Citizen Science Show podcast booth at the Hunter Science Festival, Dani sits down with Nick Whalan-Daniels, Head Teacher for the TAFE NSW Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at Tighes Hill, to talk about a stand packed with augmented reality welding, robotics and renewable energy demonstrations.

Nick explains how the new centre is training the Hunter's next generation of advanced manufacturing workers, why the region's shift away from coal is creating fresh skills gaps in renewable energy, and how "micro skills" and "micro credentials" are opening trade pathways to people who've never picked up a tool.

Plus, why Nick thinks AI is a tradesperson's friend, not their replacement.

More Information

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/specialty-schools/manufacturing-centres-of-excellence

About the Hunter Science Festival 2026

https://newcastlemuseum.com.au/what-s-on/current-events/national-science-week-hunter-science-festival

https://www.hish.org.au/

If you enjoy this podcast, please like and subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts.

Leave us a review and share this show with your friends.

It really helps us to reach more citizen scientists, like you.

Contact the Show