$2 million Aquaculture Centre of Excellence a catch for Whitsunday region

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• The $2 million Aquaculture Centre of Excellence at Whitsunday TAFE will provide specialised training in fish farming, hatchery, and pond management to grow Queensland’s vibrant aquaculture industry.

• TAFE Queensland will offer a variety of skill sets and certificate qualifications at the Centre over the coming years to support the fast-growing industry.
• Training commenced in Semester 2, 2023, with students already enrolling in the Aquaculture Essentials program, Aquatic Technologies Skill Set and Certificate II in Aquaculture.

Officially opened today (6 November 2023), the Centre’s aquaculture production training facilities will focus on prawns and barramundi and includes a scientific laboratory and smart centre where students can record and maintain test results, so graduates are job-ready.

TAFE Queensland will also deliver training in marine technology and maintenance, aqua technology and maintenance, and associated trades including automotive, electrical, plumbing and mechanical. 

These trade activities are essential in training the workers that are needed to support Queensland’s aquaculture industry.

The Aquaculture Centre of Excellence has enabled TAFE Queensland to launch a “Aquaculture and Agriculture Tech Skills Hub”, in partnership with the Australian Government, Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3), Regional Development Australia and Central Queensland University Australia.

This collaboration will foster a thriving sector in Queensland and offer free training in the latest technologies.

Quotes attributed to Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner: 

“It was fantastic to be on site to officially open the TAFE Aquaculture Centre of Excellence in Airlie Beach.

“This is such an exciting opportunity for young people to launch their careers in aquaculture or for other students to change their careers completely.

“The Queensland Agriculture Industry Workforce Plan 2022-2027 identified four priority groups for future employment growth as grazing, horticulture, crops and aquaculture.

“It’s evidenced by a growth in industry value, with the Queensland aquaculture industry rising to a record value of $224.7 million in 2021-22 and employing close to 900 Queenslanders full-time.

“This state-of-the-art centre will keep us on track to meet our growing workforce needs and will see the industry continue to make a significant and positive contribution to regional development.

“I look forward to seeing the region continue to grow thanks to exciting and emerging industries such as aquaculture.”

Quotes attributed to Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer:

“The Queensland Government is committed to creating good jobs for Queenslanders and providing training opportunities to strengthen growing industries like aquaculture.

“Our high-quality facilities at the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence are matched with high-quality training and TAFE Queensland will offer a variety of skill sets and qualifications, including Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement and Certificate II in Aquaculture.

"The Good people. Good jobs. Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 aims to create a skilled workforce ready to seize today’s jobs and embrace new opportunities.

“The Aquaculture Centre of Excellence at Whitsunday is doing just that for this exciting and fast-growing industry.”

Quotes attributed to Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert MP:

“The Aquaculture Centre of Excellence is great news for students and a highly skilled workforce is great news for local employers and for our region.

“This upgrade is the latest investment in TAFE facilities across the region, and includes the $3.4 million Agriculture Centre of Excellence, a $200,000 collaborative learning centre at the Bowen TAFE campus and a $250,000 collaborative learning centre here at Whitsunday.

“The Centre will play an important role in creating local jobs and supporting our regional economy.”

Further information:

The Aquaculture Centre of Excellence is part of the $100 million Equipping TAFE for our Future program, which focuses on providing Queenslanders with access to modern infrastructure to support high-quality training, particularly for priority industries like aquaculture.

Since 2017, the Queensland Government has invested almost $300 million in building new and upgrading existing training facilities across the state, including $13.6 million for Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday training infrastructure with new and upgraded facilities at Bowen and Whitsunday TAFE campuses.

To learn more or to enrol visit www.tafeqld.edu.au

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Media contact: Gary Shipway 0458 090 906