The Queensland Government has announced the establishment of a $15 million skills and training facility in Townsville.

The Townsville’s Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre will play a crucial role in equipping local workers with the necessary skills. This comes in alignment with the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and the Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap, both hallmark initiatives by the Labor government. These plans are set to create thousands of jobs in the renewable energy sector.

The new centre will provide accredited training on cutting-edge technologies, particularly focusing on safely handling hydrogen and other renewable gases. Additionally, it will offer extensive training modules covering construction industry safety and occupational health standards.

Member for Townsville and Resources and Critical Minerals, Minister Scott Stewart MP, highlighted the significance of the facility, stating, “The training services at this new facility will not only support North Queensland’s green hydrogen future but also complement the skills required for our critical minerals mining and processing projects.”

Projections indicate that the region is set for significant job growth, with Townsville on track to have the third fastest growth rate in all of Queensland. Investments like the new training centre are expected to enable local residents to seize the numerous opportunities arising in this booming decade.

This training centre is the first of its kind in regional Queensland, complementing the existing facility located in Beenleigh, Brisbane.