New CQUniversity Gladstone facility set to enhance Gladstone's role as a leading region for advanced manufacturing

CQUniversity is set to enhance Gladstone's role in transforming Australia's advanced manufacturing sector after officially unveiling Gladstone's newest industry training and research hub - The School of Manufacturing – at the Gladstone Marina Campus.

The School of Manufacturing will provide Gladstone with a world-class training facility to support the skills needs of future workforces within the advanced manufacturing and hydrogen and renewables industries.

The new facility has also provided the local region with a major economic boost with 114 jobs created during construction.

The facility – worth more than $13.5 million - will include advanced training and research resources and equipment and will include the Gladstone Hydrogen Hub that supports the delivery of hydrogen training and research delivery.

Commonwealth Minister for Skills and Training' Brendan O'Connor said that the facility was an investment in skills in the region.

'We believe everyone deserves access to training' which is why a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in regional Queensland is so important.

'Investing in the infrastructure of the vocational education and training sector is an investment in the teachers and students as well' and it sends a message that they and their skills are valued and in demand.'

CQUniversity's Vice-Chancellor and President' Professor Nick Klomp said the University was committed to the continued development of its regional campuses and that the new facility would provide enormous future benefit to the local community.

'Manufacturing supports thousands of jobs in the region and' in the longer term' this new facility in Gladstone will further support Queenslanders to get an education that leads to a career in the manufacturing industry.

'This is an exciting development for Gladstone as this site will deliver facilities' resources' and technology to support the education and training of the workforces of tomorrow.

'Through this School' CQUniversity will be able to develop the region's future manufacturing workforce' enhance our manufacturing research expertise' and support the manufacturing sector as it primes for future growth.

'We are actively building our capacity to service industry' locally' in areas such as advanced instrumentation and process manufacturing training' advanced welding and manufacturing' and the emerging hydrogen industry'' Professor Klomp said.

Professor Klomp also explained how the development of the new facilities was a direct result of CQUniversity's close engagement with community and industry.

'Through our work with industry and community' we developed a deep understanding of the region's needs when it came to industry development' skills training and regional growth' and using this knowledge we worked with Government to outline those needs and secure the required funding.

'Government support to fund projects such as this is absolutely critical for regional Australia – especially now as the economy begins its recovery from the pandemic.

'These projects will help to boost local economies and communities in the short-term while also supporting long-term industry growth and regional development outcomes'' Professor Klomp said.

The School of Manufacturing in Gladstone will complement the School of Mining Rockhampton that is currently nearing completion.

The School of Manufacturing (Gladstone) and the School of Mining (Rockhampton) were made possible thanks to Commonwealth Government funding of more than $30 million' with CQUniversity also contributing $7 million towards the projects.

Both the Gladstone and Rockhampton facilities have been constructed by–FDC Construction and Fitout (QLD) Pty Ltd.

CQUniversity is preparing to commence the delivery of classes in the new School of Manufacturing from early 2023.