CENTRAL Queensland University has entered into a $2.8 million partnership with the state government to cultivate employment opportunities in the agricultural, mining and manufacturing sectors.
They'll ustilise a new advance technology and innovation centre at the university's Rockhampton campus to ensure CQ students are job ready.
News of plans broke earlier today and coincided with the launch of the government's new Advance Queensland strategy, which maps jobs growth over the next 20 years, and a Regional Community Forum in the beef capital.
The State Member for Rockhampton Barry O'Rourke said the partnership was "about preparing" CQ students for agricultural, mining and manufacturing careers.
"These industries are vital to Queensland's economy," Mr O'Rourke said.
"New technology is changing the demands on workers - this new facility will make sure that our kids and grandkids have the skills they need to get great careers in these fields."
Innovation Minister Kate Jones said the Rockhampton project would provide the "building blocks for future jobs" in a range of disciplines.
"Funding will be used to buy training equipment like robots, drills and dozers to train students on the cutting-edge technology they'll be using out on the job," Ms Jones said.
CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Nick Klomp welcomed the announcement.
"This funding commitment will allow CQUniversity to respond to the needs of industry with the provision of state-of-the-art teaching and training technologies with a specific focus on AgTech, manufacturing innovation, engineering, ICT and design," Professor Klomp said.
"The one-stop centre will be accessible to the community, industry and schools who wish to engage with contemporary technologies, investigate new career opportunities and trial new business ventures providing value-add to the community.
"These types of opportunities not only support the advancement of innovative entrepreneurial practice and commercialisation opportunities but also job-creation within our communities."
BHP Mitsubishi Alliance Asset president James Palmer said investment in future skills development was wise.
"A tech-driven future will wait for no-one," Mr Palmer said.
"This centre will prepare Queenslanders for that tech future, and aligns to our Queensland Future Skills Partnership with CQUniversity and TAFE Queensland announced earlier this year."
Ask Me Technology Consultants Director Adrien Lang, whose family has links to the beef industry, said the new centre could explore technologies to benefit the cattle agriculture sectors and represent "a huge win" for CQ.
Alan Welburn
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
