Cairns TAFE upgrade to focus on skills for recovery

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman today visited the automotive workshop and battery room upgrades, which kicked off in May, to meet with some local young apprentices.

“We know our apprentices and trainees will play a vital role in our State’s economic recovery,” Ms Fentiman said.

“We have a plan for Queensland, Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs, which is all about investing in training and future proofing infrastructure so we have the skills for more jobs in more industries."

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the Palaszczuk Government’s investment in the campus will see the completion of the automotive workshop as well as a hair, beauty and hospitality precinct, a new customer service point and upgrade to the Banggu Minjaany Art Gallery.

“This is great news for the Cairns region. Not only are we providing world-class training facilities for the region, there will also be around 45 local jobs supported during construction,” Mr Healy said.

“Work is also underway on the solar panel project which will improve the campus' environmental footprint.”

Lachlan Mullan, 21, is undertaking his apprenticeship in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology at Cairns TAFE campus under the free apprenticeships program.

He said helping his mates with mechanic projects is how he became interested in pursuing an automotive career.

“I learned the basics last year and now that I’m in my second year of training, I’m learning about diagnostics and repairs,” Lachlan said.

“It’s great learning at TAFE because the teachers encourage us to slow down and really take in and understand how everything works.

“Receiving free training has made things a lot easier on me. I’ve had some problems with my car recently which have been expensive to fix, so the money I’ve saved on course fees has been spent on my car and buying other things like tools.”

The Minister said the impacts of COVID-19 are far-reaching and investment in training infrastructure is vital to continue to support the Queensland economy and to ensure Queenslanders have the skills they need for employment.

“One of the most important ways to help rebuild the economy is to support our apprentices and boost skills and training by investing in world class infrastructure,” the Minister said.

“We are also backing local businesses to provide more opportunities to employ an apprentice or trainee thanks to our free apprenticeships initiative and the newly announced Apprentice and Trainee Boost as part of the Back to Work program.

“Here in Far North Queensland, more than 1200 young people are already being supported to undertake a free apprenticeship or traineeship and we want that number to grow.”

For further information visit www.desbt.qld.gov.au/training/docs-data/strategies/tafe-infrastructure-plans or www.desbt.qld.gov.au/skillsstrategy. 

https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/

https://freeapprenticeships.desbt.qld.gov.au/

https://backtowork.initiatives.qld.gov.au/for-employers/

ENDS

Media contact:           Inga Williams                          0439 949 719