Construction has started on a $17.2-million expansion of TAFE Queensland’s Bohle campus, comprising of two new training and skills facilities which will allow TAFE to offer more than 20 new qualifications in renewable and advanced manufacturing industries.
The Premier, Ministers and local MPs helped turn the sod on the new Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training Facility and an Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab to mark the start of construction while in Townsville for Regional Cabinet.
The new $12.45-million Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training Facility is a first for TAFE Queensland, and will support the training needed for the Queensland hydrogen industry – anticipated to be worth about $1.7 billion a year in exports by 2030.
The facility’s design will target a 5 star “Greenstar Buildings” rating and incorporate sustainable design features that will see the building powered by renewable energy.
Queensland Minister for Manufacturing Glenn Butcher said manufacturing already contributed $20 billion a year to the state’s economy, and the government wanted to see that grow even further.
Butcher continued: “I’ve always said if we can make it in Queensland, we should.
“Our Advanced Manufacturing Roadmap tells us we need a world class, skilled and ready workforce to grow our manufacturing industry, and that’s what the new Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab will deliver.
“The co-location of the Regional Manufacturing Hub and TAFE is deliberate and provides an important connection between North Queensland manufacturers and our world-leading training facilities, which are about to get even better.”
Skilling Queenslanders for the future is a key pillar of the Palaszczuk Government’s $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, released last year.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland’s government was committed to seeing the state become a global leader when it comes to renewable energy.
She said: “Townsville’s Bohle campus will be the first TAFE in the state to have the world class facilities we need to train our future workforce.
“There are so many opportunities for North Queensland as part of our landmark Energy and Jobs Plan, whether it’s in training, critical minerals, research, mining, exporting or manufacturing.
“As a government, we will continue to support projects like this that will support good jobs in Townsville.”
The new $4.74 million Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab will support high end manufacturing of tech like augmented reality, automation, and robotics.
These facilities guarantee Queensland will have the workforce supply chain as the state forges on to become a renewable energy and technology powerhouse.
The facilities are expected to be built by the second half of 2023 – supporting 45 good jobs during construction.
The new facilities will allow TAFE to offer more than 20 new Skill Sets, Certificate and Diploma qualifications.
Refurbishment activities will also be undertaken on an existing manufacturing skills lab at Bohle TAFE, which will be completed by the end of the year.
Minister for Resources and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said he was proud to be delivering on yet another election commitment for Townsville and investing in the region’s future.
He said: “Bohle TAFE trains more than 2,000 trade apprentices each year and this means we can offer those apprentices more opportunities in the emerging industries of tomorrow by unlocking more than 20 new qualifications for the region.”