Release type: Media Release

Date:

Rockhampton School of Mining to train and educate future workers

Ministers:

Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm
Assistant Minister for Education
Assistant Minister for Regional Development

Today’s opening of CQUniversity’s School of Mining will deliver a locally-trained and highly-skilled workforce to support the region’s mining and resources sector.

The Australian Government provided $30 million towards the cost of the CQUniversity Mining and Manufacturing project, which includes two new purpose-built facilities at the Rockhampton School of Mining and the recently opened Gladstone School of Manufacturing.

Assistant Minister for Education, Anthony Chisholm, said this is great news for the people of Central Queensland. And the funding would help provide state of-the-art equipment to support skills training, education and research to ensure a pipeline of highly skilled and qualified workers to meet skills demands across the region and into the future.

“The Albanese Government is committed to delivering high quality education regardless of where people might live,” Senator Chisholm said.

“This amazing new facility will enable CQUniversity to train students in emerging areas such as automation and drone operations, and will provide tailored spaces for the delivery of upskilling and professional development.”

CQUniversity’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp said the University was committed to the continued development of its regional campuses and the new facility would provide enormous future benefit to the local community.

“Mining directly and indirectly supports thousands of jobs in the region and, in the longer term, this new facility in Rockhampton will further support regional Queenslanders to undertake the training they need for the jobs of the future within the resources sector,” Professor Klomp said.

“This is an exciting development for Rockhampton as this site will deliver facilities, resources, and technology to support industry specific training, education and resources.”

The School of Mining will deliver vocational education and training, higher education and professional short courses.

Students will also learn about sustainable mining, including renewable energy and energy recovery.