Concept photos of $17 million expansion of TAFE Queensland’s Bohle campus
Construction has begun on a $17.2 million expansion of TAFE Queensland’s Bohle campus. See what 20 new qualifications will be on offer.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Construction has begun on a $17.2m expansion of TAFE Queensland’s Bohle campus to offer more than 20 new qualifications in the renewable and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the State Labor Government was committed to establishing Queensland as a global leader in renewable energy, “and that means kick-starting 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,” she said on Sunday.
“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.”
Ms Palaszczuk will host a Regional Cabinet meets at the campus on Monday, with the Premier, ministers and MPs turning the first sod on the construction of the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training Facility and an Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab.
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 new $4.74 million Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab will support high-end manufacturing of tech like augmented reality, automation and robotics.
The projects will create 45 jobs during construction, earmarked for completion in the second half of 2023.
“As a government, we will continue to support projects like this that will support good jobs in Townsville,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
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.
Minister for Resources and Member Scott Stewart said the project was an investment in Townsville’s future.
“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.”
Mundingburra MP Les Walker said the investment would allow for the delivery of cutting-edge, industry-leading training in North Queensland to meet industry needs.
Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said the Palaszczuk Government would continue to invest and support TAFE “because we know how important teaching skills and trades is for our future”.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the new facilities would be co-located with Townsville’s Regional Manufacturing Hub, ensuring synergy between training and businesses.
“The project will support the Palaszczuk Government initiatives for Industry 4.0 – the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will enable advanced manufacturers to connect big data and analytics with automation and robotics, improving cost, productivity, profitability and operations.”
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick De Brenni said regional Queensland was at the centre of this clean-energy industrial revolution, “unleashing 100,000 new jobs in hydrogen, renewables, manufacturing and critical minerals”.
“In the not-too distant future, renewable hydrogen will be used domestically in sectors such as road transport and ammonia for fertiliser as well as to create industrial heat and power generation for mining and steel production.”
Minister for Manufacturing Glenn Butcher said he wanted to grow Queensland’s manufacturing sector, which contributed $20 billion annually.
“I’ve always said if we can make it in Queensland, we should,” he said.
“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.”
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.
Skilling Queenslanders for the future is a key pillar of the Palaszczuk Government’s $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, released last year.
More Coverage
Originally published as Concept photos of $17 million expansion of TAFE Queensland’s Bohle campus
Airline ‘abandons’ injured 8yo at outback airport
An injured child needing surgery in Townsville was left “abandoned” at a regional hospital after the Qantas flight departed 20 minutes early, his father alleges.
Read more
‘I have a knife’: Murder accused returns to trial
A woman accused of killing her friend after finding out she had been messaging her boyfriend has pleaded not guilty in court alongside the man alleged to have helped try and cover it up.
Read more