Published Friday, 01 December, 2006 at 09:45 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
GOVERNMENT IN PUSH TO HELP MANUFACTURERS COMPETE GLOBALLY
The push is on to help Queensland’s manufacturing industry become more innovative and competitive in the global market, Minister for State Development John Mickel said today.
Mr Mickel said the Government had kept its election promise to the business community by establishing the Office of Advanced Manufacturing which will address challenges affecting the industry and help Queensland achieve world-class manufacturing capabilities.
“Today, Queensland manufacturing finds itself in a very different world compared to even five years ago. We are competing in a global economy where the cost of labour in some emerging economies such as China and India is pennies per unit.’’
Queensland manufacturers must operate in this reality because there is no going back, Mr Mickel said.
He said the new Office of Advanced Manufacturing would be behind delivery of a wide range of initiatives in support, providing a new focal point for the push for knowledge-intensive, value-adding production.
“To cope with the challenges, the Government will spend $1 million over three years in a grants program to help manufacturers identify and invest in world-class cutting-edge technology, machinery and equipment.’’
Mr Mickel said a $2 million investment would see Advanced Manufacturing advisers at 19 State Development Centres across the State sharing their expertise with local manufacturers in regional Queensland, while a $1m manufacturing and technology support service would be introduced to cover north and west Queensland.
“To help solve the skills shortage, the Government will now also roll out the successful Create It Make It Live It campaign across the State, to attract more young people to the manufacturing industry.
Queensland’s $15-billion manufacturing sector was vital to the State's future prosperity, initiatives such as these will further contribute real value to our economy, our state's employment prospects and our international competitiveness,” Mr Mickel said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784
1 December 2006
Mr Mickel said the Government had kept its election promise to the business community by establishing the Office of Advanced Manufacturing which will address challenges affecting the industry and help Queensland achieve world-class manufacturing capabilities.
“Today, Queensland manufacturing finds itself in a very different world compared to even five years ago. We are competing in a global economy where the cost of labour in some emerging economies such as China and India is pennies per unit.’’
Queensland manufacturers must operate in this reality because there is no going back, Mr Mickel said.
He said the new Office of Advanced Manufacturing would be behind delivery of a wide range of initiatives in support, providing a new focal point for the push for knowledge-intensive, value-adding production.
“To cope with the challenges, the Government will spend $1 million over three years in a grants program to help manufacturers identify and invest in world-class cutting-edge technology, machinery and equipment.’’
Mr Mickel said a $2 million investment would see Advanced Manufacturing advisers at 19 State Development Centres across the State sharing their expertise with local manufacturers in regional Queensland, while a $1m manufacturing and technology support service would be introduced to cover north and west Queensland.
“To help solve the skills shortage, the Government will now also roll out the successful Create It Make It Live It campaign across the State, to attract more young people to the manufacturing industry.
Queensland’s $15-billion manufacturing sector was vital to the State's future prosperity, initiatives such as these will further contribute real value to our economy, our state's employment prospects and our international competitiveness,” Mr Mickel said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784
1 December 2006