Skills training upgrade for Mackay

Premier Anna Bligh and Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin today announced that

FK Gardner & Sons had been awarded the contract for Stage 1 of the $41 million project to build a new Trade Training Centre co-located at the CQUniversity campus.

The Premier also officially opened the University’s new $4 million Medical and Applied Sciences Laboratories which will be used to train key health professionals like radiographers and sonographers.

“Today the spotlight is on the world class training facilities that are developing right here in Mackay,” Ms Bligh said.

“The new Trade Training Centre will train the next wave of skilled tradies in cutting edge facilities right here in Central Queensland.

“While at the same time the new Laboratories will deliver regionally-trained Medical Imaging specialists and Sonography specialists for local communities experiencing a shortage of these skilled professionals.

“There is a first rate educational hub coming together here – the Mackay Knowledge Village – of which locals can be proud,” she said.

Ms Bligh said the new Trade Training Centre on Boundary Road at Ooralea would replace the current one on River Street.

Stage 1 of the project includes completion of the design, putting together the construction program, and the carrying out of Early Works

“When it’s finished, the centre is expected to cater for about 1500 students. Construction is also expected to generate more than 200 building jobs.”

“There are thousands of jobs in the pipeline for Queensland and it’s important people living in the Mackay area have access to the necessary skills training so they can take advantage of those opportunities.

“Having this facility located on campus will allow for strong partnerships to be developed between CQU and the training centre which will be a bonus for students,” she said.

Mr Mulherin said a wide range of courses would be taught at the centre to ensure workers were skilled-up to take advantage of local employment opportunities.

“There will be apprenticeship programs in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, furnishing, metal fabrication, mechanical fitting and light and heavy automotive training,” he said.

“Skills training will also be delivered for the building, construction, mines, minerals and energy sectors.

“Having a facility like this in our town will help make sure that local employers can look to young people in the Mackay region to fill the jobs on offer because they know they have solid, locally-based skills training.

“This Government has made a commitment to see three out every four Queenslanders hold a trade, training or tertiary qualification by 2020 and we will deliver on that commitment.

“Seeing things like the Mackay Trade Training Centre get underway and the new medical lab open will help us achieve that goal.”

The Premier said CQUniversity’s new Medical Imaging labs were funded by the University and included state-of-the-art digital imaging equipment including CT scanners, X-Ray machines and ultrasound technologies

The facility also includes a 72 seat full teaching laboratory, tailored towards anatomy and physiology courses.

Premier’s Office – 07 3224 4500