Cairns maritime jobs look shipshape for the future

On the eve of the Federal Budget the Queensland Government has made its first June budget announcement to the tune of $16m for maritime training in Cairns

A major Cairns industry “crying out” for skilled workers has received a vital boost in the form of a $16m training expansion.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday in Cairns made the first funding announcement from the 2023-2024 Queensland Government’s budget.

The Premier announced a $16m investment to expand the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College in Cairns to deliver world-class maritime training.

“Today’s announcement is about more than bricks and mortar – it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to delivering world-class education and training in the regions,” the Premier said.

“This is about supporting and growing a vital Queensland sector, and ensuring these workers have every opportunity to participate in a locally-delivered, critical training program

“That means good people getting into good jobs and this $16m investment will do just that.”

The premier also stressed the importance of the facility to our relations with our nearest neighbours, through training of personnel for the pacific patrol boats program.

“This is fantastic news not only for the far north of our state but also for our Pacific island nations,” the Premier said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk pilots a ship out of the Trinity Inlet in the facility's simulator. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

“We know how important it is to have these good relationships and we have just met some of those who are earning their patrol boat licences at this facility.”

The investment will support the 2,675 sqm extension to the existing facility, to include a new workshop, additional classrooms, offices and staff facilities, and a new boat shed.

The expansion of the college will be delivered by Queensland’s very own construction arm, QBuild, and will support up to 37 jobs during the construction phase and a legacy of training opportunities for the region.

Advance Cairns has long been a supporter for investment in the facility.

“This will bring a much-needed boost to the Cairns marine sector which is crying out for skilled workers,” CEO Jacinta Reddan said.

“The training college offers a range of maritime courses using state-of-the-art qualifications for all levels of mariners.

“The college has been working at capacity in the face of high demand from the industry to train more people at a range of levels.

“This really is an outstanding way to kick off the parliamentary sitting week and is a real shot in the arm for one of our largest sectors underpinning Cairns’ economic diversity.”

Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the college was already a major training destination for people looking to enter the maritime industry, refresh training or upskill.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is shown the radar and navigation simulation equipment by members of the Pacific Island patrol boat program. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

“Upgraded and extended infrastructure at this facility will attract new students and ensure there is capacity to upskill the existing maritime workforce,” Ms Farmer said.

“With this expansion we can now do so much more we are putting through 1000 students per year with this expansion we are able to put through another 500.

“Specifically it will help us offer state of the art facilities to train pilots and other crew from the 12 Pacific islands that have been gifted 22 Guardian patrol boats by the Australian Defence Force.”

Construction is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2024 and be completed in mid-2025.

Originally published as Cairns maritime jobs look shipshape for the future