QUT and TAFE Queensland have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate for the betterment of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) and University sectors in Queensland.
The agreement consolidates a related partnership between the two tertiary institutions around batteries and renewable energy safety courses.
And it comes as QUT steps closer to turbocharging Australia's renewable technology competitiveness following news that the QUT-led Minerals to Megawatts Cooperative Research Council (CRC) bid, in collaboration with partners across the national renewable energy sector, has been shortlisted to stage two of the CRC Grants Program.
An example of this partnership at play is the new TAFE Centre of Excellence announced to help set up Queensland as a skills leader in clean energy battery technology and training.
The TAFE Centre of Excellence – Clean Energy (Batteries) will fast-track higher and degree-equivalent apprenticeship pathways for development and delivery with both federal and state governments investing $20m to establish the centre.
QUT attended the announcement at TAFE Queensland's Acacia Ridge campus to provide context and information to the relevant Queensland and Australian Government Ministers about the partnership and its planned activities related to clean energy and batteries.
QUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Robina Xavier, said the QUT and TAFE Queensland partnership formalised the promotion of dual pathways of study between TAFE Queensland and QUT, made possible through a range of established connections across the university.
"This agreement supports the development of the future workforce required by emerging industries in Queensland, such as biomanufacturing, batteries, green hydrogen and space technology," Professor Xavier said.
More than 31 articulation pathways are available to TAFE Queensland students across courses from each of the five QUT faculties, with further opportunities to be made available with updated TAFE Queensland and QUT courses commencing from 2025.
TAFE Queensland Chief Executive Officer John Tucker said the partnership would contribute greatly to Queensland's pipeline of skilled workers in emerging industries.
"TAFE Queensland has been providing quality training in the skills Queenslanders need for over 140 years, and we have been at the forefront of emerging industries across this time thanks to partnerships with industry and with other education providers," Mr Tucker said.
"When universities and the VET sector come together we can create solutions for training needs in Queensland's future, and I am excited for the generation of workers that will gain their skills through this partnership," he said.
Professor Xavier said QUT was helping to unite the renewable energy sector through the TAFE Queensland partnership as well as through continued engagement with industry, government, research and training organisations.
"We are a collaborative university, working together with partners to lead Australia's energy transition and accelerate the pathway to careers that will shape our future," she said.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles said the TAFE Queensland Centre of Excellence would be part of a network of up to 20 centres to deliver a skilled workforce for strategically important industries.
"This networked centre will drive growth in the clean energy sector by improving and innovating training for clean energy battery technologies not just in Queensland but across Australia," Minister Giles said.
"Boosting collaboration between industry, universities and the VET sector will strengthen the VET system by providing high-quality and responsive skills training as we transition to a net zero economy."
Main Picture: The Columboola Solar Farm on the Western Downs supplies 50 per cent of the campus power needs for QUT. Picture: QUT
