The Queensland Government is pioneering workforce training for the Fourth Industrial Revolution with the launch of the $40 million Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre at Eagle Farm TAFE, an initiative under the Big Build project.
Slated for practical completion in late 2024, the government said the Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre will play a pivotal role in preparing Queensland’s manufacturing workforce to embrace automation and Industry 4.0.
This state-of-the-art centre is designed to offer specialized training in robotics, advanced manufacturing, process instrumentation, renewable technologies, such as hydrogen and solar, as well as telecommunications.
It underscores the government’s commitment to creating sustainable and future-proof training facilities, with a focus on environmental sustainability.
The centre is targeted to achieve a five-star Green Buildings rating, a testament to its excellence in design and construction.
The facility will also cater to the surging demand for advanced manufacturing skills and training.
In particular, the Advanced Manufacturing Gateway to Industry Schools (GISP) program, which began with seven participating schools in 2017, has seen remarkable growth, with 46 participating schools in 2023 – exceeding its target number of participating schools for this year.
In 2022, over 2,200 students participated in GISP advanced manufacturing-related activities, highlighting the rising interest and importance of these skills in the education sector.
Minister for Training and Skills Development, Di Farmer, noted that the Eagle Farm TAFE campus offers specialized programs in trade-related fields such as automation, instrumentation and control, renewables, plumbing and electrotechnology, telecommunications, and utilities.
“Today this Big Build project takes us one step closer to ushering in an exciting new era for robotics and advanced manufacturing training in south-east Queensland,” the minister stated.
She further explained, “With this new investment, our future advanced manufacturing workforce will receive the best training in a high-tech, supportive environment and gain the necessary skills to take on high-value jobs, both in the lab and on the production line.
“This facility will cater to the rising demand for training in robotics and advanced manufacturing, positioning Queensland at the forefront of the manufacturing sector revolution, emphasising sustainability and job creation,” the minister said.
Farmer also underscored that the investment aims to encourage more women to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing, backed by the Women in Manufacturing Strategy, as the state looks to diversify its workforce in this evolving sector.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Andrews, CEO of Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ), praised the foresight and investment behind the Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre.
She said, “Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) has been established by this government to future-proof Queensland’s manufacturing sector. Through collaborating with our stakeholders, including jobseekers, apprentices, workers, unions, and businesses, MSQ will deliver best-practice programs, investments, partnerships, and research to support a thriving, diverse, and skilled manufacturing industry for all of Queensland.”
Andrews also expressed enthusiasm for working with industry and TAFE Queensland towards shared goals, recognizing the role of the Eagle Farm TAFE Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre in shaping the future of the manufacturing industry in Queensland.
