Australia’s first Hydrogen Centre of Excellence has opened, preparing Queensland’s future workforce to help convert the State into a global hydrogen superpower.
The $20 million vocational training facility in Beenleigh, built in collaboration with the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre, was formally inaugurated today by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Premier Palaszczuk said Queensland is on course to become a global hydrogen powerhouse.
“We recently announced our $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan which will drive our renewable energy transformation. This includes developing our hydrogen industry which is expected to grow by $19 billion and create 4,350 jobs by 2040,” the Premier stated.
According to Premier Palaszczuk, Queensland is on the right track, with 40 hydrogen initiatives underway around the State.
“And just this week I was in Townsville to announce the North Queensland Super Hub, a partnership between Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and clean energy operator Windlab, who have plans to produce green hydrogen at an industrial scale,” the Premier added.
However, the Premier said, to realise the full economic potential of Queensland’s energy transition, noting the need to invest in Queensland’s people, which this new $20 million training centre does.
“We want to deliver Queensland’s energy transformation with our own resources and our own people, which is why we are investing heavily in skills and training,” Premier Palaszczuk stated.
Treasurer Cameron Dick described the energy shift as a once-in-a-generation job opportunity for Queensland.
“Our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan will support 100,000 new jobs, the majority of which will be in regional Queensland. Queensland has the natural resources, the ports, the workforce and the skills to be a global leader in the emerging green hydrogen industry, which will be good for Queensland’s economy,” Treasurer Dick said.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni stated that the new facility would leverage collaborations to help supercharge Queensland’s hydrogen economy by supplying a qualified workforce.
“This partnership demonstrates how working together with industry, unions and government, we can deliver a world-class workforce in Queensland. There are already 40 hydrogen projects happening across the state, and production is planned to scale up under our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan,” Minister de Brenni added.
According to Minister de Brenni, the training centre is the direct outcome of a close partnership between the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre partners and the Palaszczuk Government.
“Working with PICAC means our government will ensure we can fast-track the development of the renewable hydrogen industry,” the Minister added.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the centre would produce hundreds of apprentices year.
“The new world-class training centre includes specialised gas training equipment, lower carbon technology upgrades, roof-access work platforms, special hazards fire systems and state-of-the-art training rooms. It will expand training capacity from 700 to 1100 apprenticeships and tradies per year, training workers in fire protection, fire control, plumbing and hydrogen. It is vital these skills are developed by trainees and apprentices now, so that we have the workforce to deliver the projects we’ve already got, and the many more in the pipeline,” Minister Farmer stated.
Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre Chief Executive Shayne La Combre emphasised the importance of the organisation for the sector.
“This world-leading centre is a great example of industry working together to equip apprentices with the skills needed for jobs now and into the future. Never have the skills of those working in our energy industries been so critical to the economic future here in Queensland and Australia. This centre will ensure apprentices and those working in the industry receive high-quality training to prepare them for jobs in new and emerging industries like hydrogen,” La Combre said.
The project, led by Hutchinson Builders, committed to hiring 70 apprentices and supporting a total of 100employeest throughout construction when work began in February 2021. However, it surpassed that goal by hiring nearly 110 apprentices.
The Palaszczuk Government’s hydrogen pledges:
- The Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund will receive $4.5 billion
- Four cutting-edge training facilities for hydrogen and renewable energy will be built with $50 million, including:
- A hydrogen and renewable energy teaching facility at the Bohle Trade Training TAFE in Townsville will cost $10.6 million.
- $2 million for Gladstone State High School facility upgrades to prepare students for hydrogen jobs, and $4 million for an energy training and skills plan.
- $15 million to energise, coordinate, and expand renewable hydrogen centres in strategic areas throughout the state.
Hydrogen hubs supported by the Federal Government:
- Townsville will get $71.9 million for the building of a hydrogen hub.
- The Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub in Gladstone has been approved for $69 million.
