- North Queensland's new Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training Facility and Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab are now open.
- Cabinet meets at TAFE Queensland's Townsville Trade Training Centre to unveil the $18.29 million in new build and upgrades.
- The Miles Government has also signed an agreement with Energy Skills Queensland to help build Queensland's future energy workforce.
North Queenslanders looking to capitalise on the Miles Government's Big Build of clean energy, infrastructure, and housing have a new home to hone their skills for the region's in-demand blue collar careers.
The Premier joined staff and students to officially open the facilities at Bohle TAFE today, ahead of a Community Cabinet meeting.
The new facilities at Townsville's Trade Training Centre will skill up locals with qualifications in electrical, engineering, and construction trades including many courses and apprenticeships that are completely free to students or employers.
The new Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training Facility includes a mixed reality studio, workshops for hand tools and instrumentation, and electric vehicle training for hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles.
The Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab will offer training for high end manufacturing in augmented reality, automation, cyber security, and robotics to ensure the growth of this key industry not just in North Queensland, but across the state.
The Miles Labor Government also marked the occasion by officially expanding a key future workforce initiative to include renewable energy, partnering with Energy Skills Queensland.
Over the next two years over 2,000 Queensland students from 30 high schools, including 5 in Townsville, will take part in the Renewable Energy Gateway to Industry Schools Program.
The new Bohle TAFE facilities were made possible by an $18.29 million investment, which includes an additional $1.09 million to facilitate design variations during the construction phase.
As stated by the Premier:
"Queensland has cemented its future as a renewable superpower.
"That means we need to train the next generation of energy workers, in facilities that are fit for the industries of the future.
"North Queensland is the gateway to more than half a trillion dollars in untapped critical minerals and renewable energy opportunities, so it's only right that these new facilities are here in Townsville.
"Whether you're in school, seeking a career change, or are already fully qualified, I want to ensure you have the best chance at getting one of our high paid hi-vis jobs in clean energy."
As stated by the Deputy Premier and Treasurer:
"Only the Miles Labor Government is creating the good jobs in North Queensland that are providing real cost-of-living relief for decades to come.
"Our Government's CopperString transmission line is the catalyst for the advanced manufacturing jobs of the future and we are already seeing the benefits sprouting up around Townsville.
"We have invested in Bohle TAFE and new training facilities to make sure North Queenslanders have the skills these industries need and are in the box seat to land these jobs.
"All of these jobs would be shipped overseas under David Crisafulli and the LNP because he has never supported the Copperstring transmission line and our fairer coal royalty taxes used to pay for it."
As stated by Member for Townsville and Minister for Resources Scott Stewart:
"From large-scale generation and storage, transmission and distribution, and the supply chains around Copperstring, North Queensland's energy transformation means more opportunities for locals to get good jobs with better pay in our Big Build of renewable energy.
"This new publicly owned facility means more locals can take advantage of Free TAFE to get into a good career, including through the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician which is among Townsville's most popular courses."
As stated by Member for Mundingburra and North Queensland Hydrogen Champion Les Walker:
"It's not a coincidence that Townsville is booming with some of the fastest employment growth in the state – Labor's plan to create good jobs and a strong workforce to meet our renewable energy targets is what is driving this.
"Green hydrogen will also be a game changer for world's transport, heavy haulage, shipping, and aviation industries, and this new facility means it's North Queenslanders that will be in the nation's driver's seat."
As stated by Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper:
"We are ensuring Townsville is taking full advantage of the decade of opportunity before us by making sure we have the right people and skills in the right place at the right time for the growth of our priority industries.
"By expanding the Gateway to Industry Schools Program into renewable energy Townsville school students will get a head start on career in our booming clean energy sector."
As stated by Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum:
"Labor wants North Queenslanders at the front of the line for good careers in our growing industries, unlike the LNP who are already cutting projects, jobs, and the future of the region.
"There's no clearer difference between Labor and the LNP who will jack up course fees and make young Queenslanders pay for their apprenticeships–they'll have to, because they don't back the coal royalties that pay for it."
