Mackay TAFE students prepare for jobs growth

Employment, Skills and Mining Minister Stirling Hinchliffe today visited Central Queensland Institute of TAFE’s Mackay Campus to see how the organisation is preparing people for future growth in regional jobs.

Mr Hinchliffe, who was appointed to his new portfolio by Premier Anna Bligh on February 21, said he was impressed with the TAFE’s diverse range of courses and its partnerships with local industry and schools.

“Part of my new role is making sure workers are getting the skills they need to take advantage of growth in key industries like mining and that’s what we’re seeing here,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Staff at the Mackay campus offer diverse courses to meet the diverse needs of the region.

“Students can take advantage of professional links being developed with key players like Anglo Coal so apprentices don’t have to travel for training.

“More retail workers will be needed as Canelands Shopping Centre expands and students can study a Certificate II in Retail at the campus.

“I even saw some of the great work being produced by art students using glass.”

Mr Hinchliffe said the Institute would also be involved in CQIT’s training services to support the new CSG and LNG industries in the Gladstone region.

“These services will include training job seekers and existing workers with skills needed by the industry through CQIT’s and Energy Skills Queensland’s industry training program,” he said.

Mr Hinchliffe said there were more than 100 mines in the Central Queensland area and that 20 proposed coal mines were undergoing environmental impact assessment.

“Currently there are about 30,000 jobs in the mining industry in the Central Queensland area and that number only looks to be getting bigger,” he said.

“That’s why it’s important we make sure Queenslanders are ready to take up the opportunities that are on offer and TAFE institutes like CQIT are playing an important role.”

People can find out more about what is on offer at the Central Queensland Institute of TAFE’s Mackay Campus by phoning 1300 CQ TAFE (1300 27 8233) or visiting cq.tafe.qld.gov.au.

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