- Early works have commenced on the Crisafulli Government’s new $61.1 million Rockhampton TAFE Excellence Precinct, which will deliver a stronger pipeline of skilled workers in Central Queensland.
- The Excellence Precinct will deliver purpose-built training facilities across various industries, allowing the relocation of all CQUniversity Rockhampton TAFE training operations to the Rockhampton North campus.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its election commitment to build four new TAFE campuses after Labor created a skills shortage during their decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a critical piece of TAFE infrastructure which will help train thousands of tradies in Central Queensland and help turn the tide on the Labor’s skills crisis.
Early site work has started on schedule at the $61.1 million Rockhampton TAFE Excellence Precinct, one of four fully State-funded TAFE Centres of Excellence being delivered across Queensland in the Crisafulli Government’s first term.
In stark contrast, the former Labor Government failed to build a single new TAFE campus and the Albanese Labor federal government is planning cuts to Queensland’s Fee-Free TAFE funding in a new proposal which would leave the State $208 million worse off.
The progress on the Rockhampton Excellence Precinct strengthens the foundations of the Crisafulli Government’s first budget, with the completed facility set to transform access to high quality vocational education and training.
It will feature world-standard training facilities for specialised trades including air-conditioning and refrigeration, electrical, light automative and metal fabrication, as well as hairdressing and beauty, horticulture, hospitality and cookery, visual arts and information technology.
The Rockhampton TAFE Excellence Precinct will be based at the CQUniversity’s current Rockhampton North campus, forming Central Queensland’s high-quality training hub.
The existing Canning Street site will be repurposed, allowing Rockhampton Hospital to expand its facilities and unlock additional land to deliver more homes for Queenslanders sooner.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the Excellence Precinct was further proof of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to TAFE+ as it comes under attack from Labor.
“The Albanese Labor government is trying to raid the Queensland piggy bank again with its cuts to our Fee-Free TAFE funding, but our resolve and commitment to TAFE is stronger than ever,” Minister Bates said.
“The Crisafulli Government promised new TAFE Centres of Excellence and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.”
“We have delivered a record number of apprenticeship completions and the number of Queenslanders getting on the tools is soaring, and this Precinct is going to ensure a pipeline of skilled workers in Central Queensland for generations to come.”
The Crisafulli Government is investing a total of $201.1 million to deliver TAFE Centres of Excellence in Rockhampton, the Sunshine Coast, Petrie and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton said the new Excellence Precinct would further cement Rockhampton as a Central Queensland training hub.
“This facility will mean more students can train where they live and it’ll boost our local workforce immensely,” Mr Hutton said.
“It’s further proof of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to our region, and I know we’ll reap the benefits of having such a state of the art facility delivered right here in Rockhampton.”
Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland said the project would help ease the skills shortages felt across the region.
“The Crisafulli Government inherited Labor’s Skills Crisis which has had huge implications across the state,” Ms Kirkland said.
“The new Excellence Precinct is going to continue building on the progress we’re making in easing the skills crunch in Central Queensland.”
Member for Mirani Glen Kelly said the new facility would draw prospective students to Rockhampton from across the region.
“This is going to be such a fantastic facility to train at that it’ll become a beacon for people across Central Queensland to come and develop their skills and start their careers,” Mr Kelly said.
“The Crisafulli Government knows how important it is to properly train a workforce and we’re getting a top tier campus here in Rockhampton to do exactly that.”
CQUniversity’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp welcomed the addition of the world-class trades training facility in Central Queensland.
“We are excited to be moving ahead with the delivery of the TAFE Excellence Precinct at the Rockhampton North campus,” Professor Klomp said.
“The delivery of this facility is a key milestone for the University as it will see us consolidate all training and higher education operations onto one site in Rockhampton.
“This project will deliver state-of-the-art facilities, equipment, tools and learning resources to ensure we are delivering high quality, industry relevant training that will benefit apprentices, their employers, local industry and the wider Central Queensland community.”
The Rockhampton TAFE Excellence Precinct is expected to be operating by mid 2028.
