The Queensland Government will establish a new $45 million renewable energy training centre in Gladstone to address skills shortages within the renewable energy industry.
The Queensland SuperGrid Training Centre and Transmission Hub will be a purpose-built facility acting as a regional base for training energy system workers, developing a high-skilled workforce to better meet increased demand and changing focus in Central Queensland.
State Energy Minister, Mick de Brenni, said the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan sets a clear path to deliver the clean, reliable and affordable energy that will provide power for generations to come.
“Building the Queensland SuperGrid is critical to unlocking 100,000 new jobs in energy generation, green hydrogen, critical minerals mining and battery manufacturing,” Mr de Brenni said.
“The first of two Queensland SuperGrid Training Centre and Transmission Hubs will play a central role in the nation’s future as Central Queensland’s energy mix changes and grows to meet changing global demand.
“Dedicated training facilities will allow for more than 500 energy workers each year to be upskilled in a range of areas, including high voltage technical training.”
Queensland’s Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water, Glenn Butcher, said the centre would continue Gladstone’s proud industrial heritage for generations to come.
“The new centre will boost our local training capacity in the region, with more than 90 jobs expected to be based at the facility over the next ten years,” Mr Butcher said.
“We expect a range of roles to be located at the hub including community relations, cultural heritage relations, project management, field staff, health, safety and environment officers, training officers, engineers, support services staff and tradespersons.
“A key focus will be opportunities for apprentices to ensure we can nurture our pipeline of skilled local people as we deliver on our commitments under the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.”
Feature Image: (From left) Brett Ferguson and Gary Edwards from Powerlink with Energy Minister Mick de Brenni and Mayor Matt Burnett. Photo: Queensland State Government.
