The Queensland Government has unveiled plans for a new $7.1 million skills and training facility in Maryborough.
The Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will give local workers and jobseekers the skills they need to fill training gaps within identified sectors, with a strong focus on upskilling more workers to support the State Government’s significant investment in train manufacturing.
The $9.5 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program will see 65 six-car passenger trains manufactured at a purpose-built manufacturing facility at Torbanlea in the Fraser Coast region, supporting 1,300 jobs throughout the life of the project.
Queensland Member for Maryborough and Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing, Regional Development and Jobs, Bruce Saunders, said, “We’re not just manufacturing trains here in Maryborough, we’re creating a lasting legacy for our region’s industry that will deliver good local jobs for generations to come.
“Queensland’s Big Build is booming, so this new facility will put Maryborough – and the locals who’ll benefit – at the front of the queue for the good manufacturing jobs we’re creating.”
The Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will provide facilities that could skill workers in advanced machining, CNC, robotics and augmented welding, along with integrating extended reality (virtual, augmented, and mixed).
Manufacturing Skills Queensland CEO Rebecca Andrews said, “Manufacturing is one of Queensland’s most significant and innovative industry sectors collectively contributing billions of dollars to the Queensland economy and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs.
“The Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, builds on the significant manufacturing investment in the region, and will require a vibrant training sector to deliver a range of vocational courses and a large pool of skilled available labour.”
Downer is on board as a foundation member of the Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, partnering with Manufacturing Skills Queensland to deliver training in advanced manufacturing.
This aims to provide sustainable, long-term and local training opportunities that will support train manufacturing and industries in the manufacturing supply chain across the Fraser Coast region.
ARA response
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has welcomed the announcement, calling it a huge step forward in boosting the future skills required to support a thriving local rail manufacturing industry and growing a more globally competitive industry.
“It is critical we support the development of a modern rail skills workforce which is able to cope with the rapid advances in technology that enables an industry that is fit for future,” the organisation said.
“Rail brings enormous benefits to the Australian economy, contributing $30 billion each year. A strong local manufacturing industry means more trains will be built here, delivering more skilled jobs in the regions and less resources being sent overseas.”
“It will also provide local businesses with more export opportunities, building a more sustainable, safe and productive rail industry.”
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