The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have raised $2 million to invest in the establishment of an Industry 4.0 Testlab at Charles Darwin University (CDU).
The site will serve as an advanced apprenticeship training facility to boost the manufacturing skills of the workforce in the northern territories. It also aims to enhance Australia’s defence and aerospace research capabilities.
Minister for Education Jason Clare said the test lab will harness the industry’s capabilities and CDU’s expertise to push innovation and the manufacturing of technologies, such as remotely piloted aircraft, drones, and artificial intelligence.
“This investment will help make sure the Territory has the workforce it needs to keep building a world-class advanced manufacturing industry,” Clare added.
Natasha Fyles, chief minister of the Northern Territory (NT), said the CDU facility would serve as a significant boost to the university and the Northern Territory while fostering skills needed in the defence and aerospace industry.
“We are launching rockets from Arnhem land, and building the world’s biggest solar farm in the Barkly. The addition of this new technology is the first of its kind for the NT, and will build upon our advanced manufacturing capacity and strengthen Australia’s defence and aerospace research capability in the region,” said Fyles.
The test lab will be set up in collaboration with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University.
