Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the 32 high schools that will participate in the Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools program, which was expanded to include the growing industry last year.
“Queensland hydrogen industry alone is expected to grow by $19 billion, creating an additional 4,350 jobs by 2040,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
According to the Premier, the State needs a skilled workforce to capitalise on the hydrogen boom to become a hydrogen superpower.
“I’m proud my government is funding this Partnership program to connect education and industry to create a better, brighter future for thousands of students,” the Premier added.
The industry-led initiative broadens science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) knowledge to diversify and accelerate future skills and opportunities in the hydrogen industry.
Students participating in the Hydrogen Gateway Industry to Schools Partnership will be exposed to various learning opportunities to help them make career decisions and self-select career paths.
“Our schools and their students have jumped at the opportunity to explore further career options, particularly in exciting emerging industries like hydrogen,” Minister for Employment and Small business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said.
Minister Farmer stated that the goal of 30 schools set when the Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools program was launched has already been exceeded.
“Our school kids want the good paying jobs we will create and skill them for in the renewable and clean energy sectors,” Minister Farmer added.
This initiative provides professional development for teachers to ensure they are supported with industry knowledge to contextualise STEAM lectures.
Over the next three years, over 2,000 students will benefit from the Queensland Government’s $800,000 investment.
The broader Gateway Industries to Schools program includes Aerospace, Advanced Manufacturing, Health, Screen and Media, Agribusiness, and other businesses.
In 2022, almost 31,000 students participated in the program, offered through roughly 600 partnerships with state, independent, and catholic schools across Queensland.
Minister for Education Grace Grace said Queensland schools play an essential part in training the future workforce, and the Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools Program will assist students in launching a career in hydrogen.
“This Palaszczuk Government program will broaden both students and teachers’ knowledge of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics,” Minister Grace stated.
Minister Grace added that the State Government is preparing students for solid careers in developing industry sectors through school-based initiatives such as Queensland’s Local Schools Local Jobs election commitment.
The initiative provides numerous chances for schools to participate, ranging from production to engineering, storage to distribution and exporting.
“Our green hydrogen industry is the greatest jobs, climate, and export opportunity in a generation and this Palaszczuk Government initiative is giving Queensland kids a head start in the jobs and careers of tomorrow,” Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said.
According to Minister de Brenni, the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan has unlocked the potential for 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in Queensland’s green hydrogen industry by 2040.
“We are proud to be partnering with the Queensland Government, and we look forward to working with students from Catholic Education, independent and public schools across Queensland,” Energy Skills Queensland CEO David Cross said.
Springwood State High School Melanie Harth commented, “The school is excited to join the Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools Program as a part of our commitment to delivering 21st century innovative curriculum programs.”
Redeemer Lutheran College Principal Eureka Coetzee added, “As a rural school, we aim to grow with the needs of the region through networking with industry groups to ensure future local employment opportunities are available to our graduates.”
