New Training Facility Powers Local Industry Growth

A $7.5 million project, funded by the new Miles Labor Government, has revved up CQUniversity’s Ooralea Trade Training Centre in Mackay with the completion of a state-of-the-art Heavy Automotive Training Facility.  

This impressive 1600 sqm extension more than triples the centre’s training capacity, gearing up to train up to 400 students for vital local industries like mining and agriculture.

The new Heavy Automotive Training Facility will offer training in areas such as diesel fitting, mobile plant operation and heavy vehicle maintenance, with many undertaking their qualifications under Labor’s Free TAFE.

With a focus on boosting the number of qualified heavy automotive professionals for the region, students will have the opportunity to complete the following: Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Diesel Fitting), Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology and Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology.

The new centre features modern specialty training equipment including an air brake simulator, hydraulic training stations, transmission training simulators, diesel engine benches and an air suspension training stand for trucks – allowing apprentices at all stages of their training to build their skills using the latest technology and equipment.

The major infrastructure upgrade has already generated up to 50 jobs during construction and doubled the size of the existing CQUniversity Trade Training Centre at Mackay Ooralea.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said, “This upgrade is making high-quality training more accessible in our region and creating pathways to good local jobs. 

“Final year apprentices will be able to complete their training right here in Mackay, instead of travelling to Rockhampton or Emerald for specialist training.

“Boosting training capacity will create a pipeline of qualified heavy automotive professionals – crucial to keeping our growing region’s industries operating and keeping jobs local.”
 
Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum said, “We’re proud to back Mackay locals with state-of-the-art, publicly owned training facilities that will put them at the front of the queue for highly skilled and highly paid jobs.”
 
Vice-Chancellor and President of CQUniversity Professor Nick Klomp expressed his excitement of the launch and said, “We are delighted to celebrate the opening of this new facility and to now provide local apprentices in the region with a purpose-built facility that houses the latest technology and equipment. 

“Using state-of-the-art resources and equipment will ensure our apprentices are being trained with the latest and best tools, better preparing them for their future careers and the needs and expectations of industry.”
 

Mackay’s new heavy automotive hub at CQ University Ooralea Trade Training Centre has received a $7.5M Boost for Future Tradespeople which is said to triple the training capacity in the region. CQ University representatives were joined by Cr Alison Jones, Mayor Greg Williamson, Julieanne Gilbert and Belinda Hassan

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert and Labor candidate for the seat of Mackay Belinda Hassan testing out the MF500 Hydrostatic Transmission Training Simulator. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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