Queensland launches new manufacturing centre of excellence

The Queensland Government and Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) have announced a new $7.1 million skills and training facility in Maryborough. The Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will give local workers and jobseekers the skills they need to fill training gaps within identified sectors with a strong focus on upskilling more workers to support Queensland’s significant investment in train manufacturing.

The $9.5 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program will see 65 six-car passenger trains manufactured at a purpose-built manufacturing facility at Torbanlea in the Fraser Coast region, supporting 1300 jobs throughout the life of the project.

The government says the Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will provide facilities that could skill workers in advanced machining, CNC, robotics and augmented welding, along with integrating extended reality (virtual, augmented and mixed).

Downer has come on board as a foundation member of the Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, partnering with Manufacturing Skills Queensland to deliver training in advanced manufacturing.

“We’re not just manufacturing trains here in Maryborough, we’re creating a lasting legacy for our region’s industry that will deliver good local jobs for generations to come,” said Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing, Regional Development and Jobs Bruce Saunders. “Queensland’s Big Build is booming, so this new facility will put Maryborough — and the locals who’ll benefit — at the front of the queue for the good manufacturing jobs we’re creating.

“Manufacturing is one of Queensland’s most significant and innovative industry sectors, collectively contributing billions of dollars to the Queensland economy and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs,” said Manufacturing Skills Queensland CEO Rebecca Andrews. “The Queensland Train Manufacturing Program builds on the significant manufacturing investment in the region, and will require a vibrant training sector to deliver a range of vocational courses and a large pool of skilled available labour.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Ton Photograph