Miles Doing What Matters: Blue Collar Jobs Bonanza for Mackay’s Heavy Vehicle Industry

• $7.5 million project funded by the new Miles Labor Government at CQUniversity’s Ooralea Trade Training Centre in Mackay is now complete –– delivering a purpose-built Heavy Automotive Training Facility for the region’s industries.
• The new 1600 sqm heavy automotive facility extension will more than triple the existing centre’s training capacity, allowing up to 400 students to be trained for local industries such as mining and agriculture.

The new Miles Labor Government’s Big Build of TAFE will open new doors for the region’s heavy industry workforce with a $7.5 million upgrade to the Ooralea Trade Training Centre in Mackay.

The new Heavy Automotive Training Facility will offer training in diesel fitting, mobile plant operation, and heavy vehicle maintenance, with many undertaking their qualifications under Labor’s Free TAFE.

The courses that will be delivered in the new facility, boosting the number of qualified heavy automotive professionals for the region, include:

• Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Diesel Fitting)
• Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology
• Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology

The new centre features modern specialty training equipment including an air brake simulator, hydraulic training stations, transmission training simulators, diesel engine benches and an air suspension training stand for trucks – allowing apprentices at all stages of their training to build their skills using the latest technology and equipment.

The major infrastructure upgrade has already generated up to 50 jobs during construction and doubled the size of the existing CQUniversity Trade Training Centre at Mackay Ooralea.

Quotes attributable to the Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert:

“The Miles Labor Government is doing what matters for Central Queenslanders, ensuring our workforce is skilled to service the high-demand roles of the region.

“This upgrade is making high quality training more accessible in our region and creating pathways to good local jobs.

“Final year apprentices will be able to complete their training right here in Mackay, instead of traveling to Rockhampton or Emerald for specialist training.

“Boosting training capacity will create a pipeline of qualified heavy automotive professionals – crucial to keeping our growing region’s industries operating and keeping jobs local.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum:

“We’re proud to back Mackay locals with state of the art, publicly owned training facilities that will put them at the front of the queue for highly skilled and highly paid jobs.

“Under David Crisafulli and the LNP, Central Queensland stands to lose the first-class training, and with it, access to good quality jobs that protect their futures.

“This new Ooralea Trade Training Centre was an election promise that we are proud to deliver thanks to progressive coal royalties that make large multi nationals pay their fair share.

“Only the Miles Labor Government will back Central Queenslanders with Free TAFE and new facilities that can set them up for life.”

Quotes attributable to Vice-Chancellor and President of CQUniversity Professor Nick Klomp:

“We are delighted to celebrate the opening of this new facility and to now provide local apprentices in the region with a purpose-built facility that houses the latest technology and equipment.

“Using state-of-the-art resources and equipment will ensure our apprentices are being trained with the latest and best tools, better preparing them for their future careers and the needs and expectations of industry.”

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

• The redeveloped trade training centre is being funded through the Labor Government’s $100 million Equipping TAFE for our Future commitment.
• Construction of the new project is being undertaken by the WHF Group, a family-owned Mackay-based business established 30 years ago.
• Apprentice numbers in the region for these qualifications have grown by 26% in the last 12 months with strong demand for training places.
• The top five VET disciplines in the Mackay region (in terms of student numbers) are Business, Electrical, Mechanical, Fabrication, Mobile Plant Technology and Plumbing.

ENDS

Media contact: Meg Griffiths, 07 3719 7511