The Queensland government has launched the Mount Isa Engineering and Trade Workshop to provide modern engineering facilities for students across civil engineering and technology fields.
The Mount Isa Engineering and Trade Training Modernisation project is part of the $50 million “Revitalising TAFE Campuses Across Australia” initiative with the federal government.
More than half the 800-plus students in Mount Isa TAFE are enrolled in trade training.
The workshop is expected to boost enrolments in the coming years to up to 950 students per year, the Queensland government said.
Supported by both the Queensland and Australian government, the Mount Isa Engineering and Trade Training Workshop aims to support TAFE Queensland students enrolled in Building and Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering and Technology, and Mechanical/Industrial Engineering and Technology fields.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said the new facility upgrade will provide Queenslanders with increased access to training and state-of-the-art facilities, boosting jobs in the state amid a skills shortage.
“By working collaboratively with each state and territory, the Australian Government is working to build a skilled economy for the future,” O’Connor said.
“The Government has supported almost 150,000 Australians to enrol in Fee-Free TAFE this year, marking the start of a once-in-a-generation reform of the TAFE and Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.
Queensland Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the Mount ISA TAFE upgrade aligns with the “Good people. Good jobs. Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032.” which seeks to create a skilled workforce ready to seize new opportunities.
“It’s predicted that by 2024-25, more than 28,800 people will be employed in North West Queensland, with the mining industry both the largest employing and fastest growing industry by June 2025,” Farmer said.
“The Mount Isa Engineering and Trade Training Workshop is great news for students and a highly skilled workforce is great news for employers and for the North West Queensland region.”
