The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to support the growth of TAFE Queensland, investing $3 million from the TAFE Technology Fund to further enhance electric vehicle (EV) training.
The grant will be used to install cutting-edge Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) training simulators, used BEVs, 3D scanners and virtual reality headsets at TAFE Queensland's Acacia Ridge (Brisbane South) and Bohle (Townsville) campuses.
The BEV Training Simulator project will support high quality hands-on learning for students, and training and upskilling to support EV maintenance and repair.
This investment is critical to supporting renewables skills priorities as Australia transitions to net zero and a Future Made in Australia.
The Albanese Government's $50 million TAFE Technology Fund is upgrading and expanding TAFE facilities across the country, including laboratories, workshops, equipment and simulated learning environments.
Previous TAFE Technology Fund investments in Queensland included:
- The Pimlico Visual Arts Precinct Expansion project - $2.5 million for a dedicated facility to support creative and visual arts, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural arts and short courses in a fit-for-purpose training space in Townsville.
- The Loganlea Clinical Laboratory Expansion project - $2.3 million for a modern clinical skills laboratory to support dental assisting, pathology collection, sampling and measurements, and lab skills clinical environments.
- The Thursday Island Health Hub project - $1 million for a simulated environment and virtual connected technologies for students enrolled in health-related training.
The Albanese Government invested $5.8 million to support the previous TAFE Technology Fund projects in Queensland and the state government contributed up to $6 million, taking total funding to $11.8 million.
This latest investment builds on opportunities created through the Albanese Government's Fee-Free TAFE initiative, which removed financial barriers to enrolment for over 355,000 Australians in 2023.
Nearly 70,000 Queenslanders enrolled in Fee-Free TAFE last year, including almost 27,000 in regional and remote areas of the state.
The Albanese Government is investing $502.9 million for an additional 320,000 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places nationwide over the next three years.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O'Connor:
"Skilling more Australians to be able to take advantage of emerging technologies is critical to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
"The Albanese Government is committed to supporting Queenslanders to access high quality vocational education and training, especially as technology changes.
"Our $50 million TAFE Technology Fund helps ensure TAFEs are equipped to deliver training to the standards expected by students and industry."
Quotes attributable to the Queensland Minister for Training and Skills Development, Lance McCallum:
"Together, the Miles and Albanese Labor Governments are leading the charge in green technology training and these initiatives make sure everyday Queenslanders can access the high-paying, future-proof jobs in our burgeoning clean energy industries.
"We want Queenslanders at the front of the line for good local jobs in the booming electric vehicle industry, so these investments are about creating real opportunities for everyday people.
"It's Labor who has led the way in the new qualification in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology and thanks to our Free TAFE program many of the Queenslanders undertaking it will be doing it for free."
Quotes attributable to the Federal Member for Moreton, Graham Perrett:
"The Albanese Labor Government is investing in the jobs of the future.
"Ensuring that students have access to new technologies is crucial for promoting the high-quality education TAFE provides and assuring job-ready graduates.
"This funding under the Albanese Government's TAFE Technology Fund bolsters communities like Acacia Ridge and others across Queensland to join the clean energy revolution and seize the jobs of the future".
