Queensland has taken another step towards ensuring Australia emerges as a hydrogen superpower.
The sod has been turned to mark the start of construction of the $20 million Hydrogen Training Centre of Excellence at Beenleigh.
Treasurer Cameron Dick said the new facility is a key part of the government’s plan to fast track the development of the industry and ensure Queensland is at the forefront as the supplier of choice for hydrogen.
“Our Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy 2019 – 2024 is focused on developing the hydrogen industry to create jobs and is a vital part of our plan to Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs,” the Treasurer said.
“By 2030, it is estimated the Queensland hydrogen industry could be worth about $1.7 billion a year in exports, providing jobs throughout the state.”
“Investing in state-of-the-art training facilities will attract new workers to the industry as well as meet projected demand from existing apprentices and tradespeople,” he said.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni, said this initiative, one of four training centres worth more than $50 million, would skill up a hydrogen workforce enabling the State’s future economic development.
“Queensland’s opportunity to grow jobs in manufacturing and resources needs cheaper, cleaner energy, and the future demand for hydrogen is being met as the Palaszczuk Government is ensuring Queenslanders have the skills to deliver it,” Minister de Brenni said.
“Already, Queensland’s renewables industry is worth $8.5 billion, and with our abundance of solar and wind capacity, Queensland is the ideal candidate to produce hydrogen for domestic and international use.”
Minister for Training and Skills Development, Di Farmer, added that the centre is an investment in the skills and jobs of the future.
“We need trainees and apprentices to start developing these skills now, so that they are ready to go when these jobs come online,” she commented.
“That’s why we are investing now, to deliver the skilled workforce we will need in the future.”
Minister Farmer detailed that the Government is working in partnership with the industry not-for-profit organisation, Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC), to build the new facility at the existing training centre by June 2022.
She said that it will expand training capacity from 600 to 800 apprenticeships per year to train apprentices in fire protection, gas plumbing, carpentry, electrical and plumbing skills.
“The new world-class training facilities will include gas training equipment, lower carbon technology upgrades, roof-access work platforms, special hazards fire systems and state of the art training rooms,” Minister Farmer said.
The project is also expected to employ 70 apprentices during construction and support a total of 100 jobs.
PICAC is a whole-of-industry collaboration model between the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union Queensland, the Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland, the National Fire Industry Association and the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA).
