World-class facilities in central Queensland are supporting the future training needs of the state’s resource sector.
Multi-million-dollar CQUniversity facilities in Rockhampton and Gladstone are bolstering the future training, workforce and research needs of the Queensland resources sector.
Rockhampton’s School of Mining and Gladstone’s School of Manufacturing are each delivering world-class facilities to support the skills needs of future workforces in central Queensland that are directly and indirectly involved within the resources sector.
The Australian Government provided $30 million towards the cost of the CQUniversity Mining and Manufacturing project, which includes the two purpose-built facilities.
Federal Assistant Minister for Education Anthony Chisholm said the facilities represent a major coup for the people of central Queensland.
“The Albanese Government is committed to delivering high-quality education, regardless of where people might live,” Chisholm said.
“These amazing facilities enable CQUniversity to train students in emerging areas such as automation and drone operations, and provide tailored spaces for the delivery of upskilling and professional development.”
The facilities provide state of-the-art equipment to support skills training, education and research to ensure a pipeline of highly skilled and qualified workers to meet skills demands across the region and into the future.
CQUniversity vice-chancellor and president Professor Nick Klomp said the university was committed to the development of its regional campuses, and the facilities provide enormous future benefit to the local community.
“Mining directly and indirectly supports thousands of jobs in the region and, in the longer term, these facilities in Rockhampton and Gladstone will further support regional Queenslanders to undertake the training they need for the jobs of the future within the resources sector,” Klomp said.
Klomp also explained how the development of the new facilities was a direct result of CQUniversity’s close engagement with community and industry.
“Through our work with industry and community, we developed a deep understanding of the region’s needs when it came to industry development, skills training and regional growth, and using this knowledge we worked with the Government to outline those needs and secure the required funding,” he said.
“These projects help to boost local economies and communities in the short-term while also supporting long-term industry growth and regional development outcomes.”
Gladstone’s School of Manufacturing not only includes advanced training and research resources and equipment, but is also home to the Gladstone Hydrogen Hub, which supports the delivery of hydrogen training and research delivery.
The School of Mining and School of Manufacturing have sparked interested from industry players across Queensland, with collaborations developed to utilise the spaces and train the next generation of mining and manufacturing workers, including with resource and infrastructure training organisation MyneSite.
A resource and infrastructure training organisation, MyneSight provides teaching and assessment services to the open-cut and underground mining sectors.
The collaboration is designed to boost opportunities for students in the region by increasing the mining-related training available.
MyneSight general manager Larnie Mackay said collaborating with CQUniversity allowed the organisation to provide a seamless pathway for central Queensland residents to obtain quality surface and underground mining skills, from inexperienced entrants to future graduates to those wanting to maintain skills and those wanting to advance in their chosen field.
This feature appeared in the December 2023 issue of Australian Mining.
