The Palaszczuk Government is securing jobs of the future by funding new equipment to train Queenslanders faster in welding qualifications which are in high demand by defence and manufacturing industries.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick joined with Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman at Parliament House today to demonstrate new 3D augmented reality systems for training welders.
"We want Queensland welders to have the technology and coursework to meet the international welding standard increasingly being required for major defence and commercial projects, so we are planning for the future," he said.
"Skilling Queenslanders with the right qualifications desired for these projects will make Queenslanders more competitive in securing this work and strengthen Queensland’s chances of winning contracts which deliver economic benefits to our whole state.
"Our government is helping Queenslanders to keep pace with industry demand for qualified welders by purchasing 10 state-of-the-art augmented reality welding training simulators at a total cost of up to $800,000.
"These simulators will enable TAFE SkillsTech to increase the speed at which students can become qualified to the ISO 9606 welding standard."
Mr Dick said the investment would help address a national shortage of ISO 9606-qualified welders as identified by Weld Australia. ISO 9606 qualifications represent the international standard required for precision welding of materials needed in industries such as defence, maritime and advanced manufacturing.
"Training with the augmented reality system is considerably faster than traditional welding training, enabling us to get experienced welders to the ISO 9606 level in reduced time and cost over traditional training methods," he said.
"The technology is also mobile, allowing it to move where the training demand is in support of major projects, including industry sectors such as maritime and broader manufacturing."
Mr Dick said Rheinmetall Defence Australia has identified a need for ISO 9606 qualified welders as part of its recruitment for its new Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence, as well as its future supply chain.
"We want Queenslanders trained up and ready to go to deliver the $5 billion landmark LAND 400 defence deal which will see Queensland playing the leading role manufacturing a new generation of vehicles for the Australian Army," he said.
"More Queenslanders achieving ISO 9606 level welding qualifications in faster timeframes means more Queenslanders eligible to get involved in delivering on this major contract, and more Queenslanders able to access high-skilled, well-paid careers in the defence manufacturing industry more broadly.
"This is an important part of our journey as a government, as we continue to position Queensland as the nation’s defence and advanced manufacturing powerhouse and create the jobs of the future.
"Defence Industries Queensland is also working with the Defence Materials Technology Centre to benchmark Queensland’s welding capabilities and create a network of defence‑ready manufacturers with globally competitive advanced welding skills."
Five welding simulator units will be based at SkillsTech in Acacia Ridge, with the remaining five to be based in regional areas such as North and Far North Queensland.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said the Palaszczuk Government provides funding to assist more Queenslanders to get the skills they need to get a job in high priority industries.
"The Palaszczuk Government is investing in the futures of Queenslanders and has committed more than $2 million over two years to train 135 welders," she said.
"This is a new investment in training, it is specialist training to accredit workers in an international standard for welding, and this is a first in Queensland.
"The new course will be a game changer for Queensland, it is an example of a flexible and adaptive public provider of vocational education and training and it’s fantastic that we can now offer this world class training right here in Brisbane as well as North Queensland.
"We are providing the world class training opportunities for Queenslanders to ensure that we continue with our strong job growth."
