Construction has started on a $17.2 million expansion of TAFE Queensland’s Bohle campus which includes two new training and skills facilities for renewable and advanced manufacturing industries.
Queensland’s 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 which 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 five-star “Greenstar Buildings” rating and incorporate sustainable design features that will see the building powered by renewable energy.
The new $4.74 million Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab will support high-end manufacturing of tech like augmented reality, automation, and robotics.
The facilities are expected to be built by the second half of 2023 – supporting 45 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.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, “Our government is committed to seeing Queensland be a global leader when it comes to renewable energy, and that means kickstarting training now.
“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.”
Minister for resources and member for Townsville Scott Stewart 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.”