A $60 million TAFE centre is to go up at Petrie, Brisbane, after Moreton Bay City Council transferred site ownership to the Queensland Government.
The site, in the Moreton Bay Central precinct, will allow students to train in construction, engineering, electrotechnology or advanced manufacturing.
Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery says the new TAFE centre of excellence will benefit the surrounding region.
“We know locals want to study and work closer to home. The TAFE (centre) will be located at the Moreton Bay Central site near UniSC’s Moreton Bay campus, which is in close proximity to public transport and industry,” he says.
This will open the door for collaboration between TAFE and university, he adds.
At the heart of the centre will be an Advanced Manufacturing Hub to support the Bay’s manufacturing industry and prepare students to work in high-tech sectors using the latest technology like augmented reality and smart hubs.
TAFE CENTRE ‘A BOOST’
Councillor Jim Moloney says the centre is a boost to Moreton Bay’s reputation as a growing education and technology hub.
“The career and learning opportunities that a centre like this presents … cannot be understated. The sky is the limit,” he says.
“I’ve got no doubt there’s an exciting future ahead for Moreton Bay’s workforce.”
The centre will be built adjacent to the future Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre, a venue for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Moreton Bay centre is one of four going up as part of a $201.1m plan to rebuild the state’s skills pipeline; others are planned for Caloundra, Rockhampton and Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
MP for Redcliffe Kerri-Anne Dooley says businesses across the region are “crying out” for skilled workers and this project is “building the pipeline of skilled workers we need”.
MP for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan describes it as a “game-changer” for Moreton Bay and Pumicestone.
TAFE Queensland SkillsTech General Manager Stephen Gates says securing the site is just the first step forward.
“This centre … (is) giving local people access to the advanced, hands-on training that employers are calling for.”
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