New Rockhampton CQUniversity School of Mining to support future training needs of resources sector
Posted on March 21st, 2023
A new multi-million-dollar CQUniversity facility in Rockhampton is set to support the future training, workforce and research needs of the resources sector.
The School of Mining at the Rockhampton North campus will deliver the Central Queensland region with a world-class facility to support the skills needs of future workforces that are directly and indirectly involved within the 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 that 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.
“This is an exciting development for Rockhampton as this site will deliver facilities, resources, and technology to support industry specific training, education and resources,” Professor Klomp said.
Professor Klomp also explained how the development of the new facilities was a direct result of CQUniversity’s close engagement with community and industry.
“Through our work with industry and community, we developed a deep understanding of the region’s needs when it came to industry development, skills training and regional growth, and using this knowledge we worked with Government to outline those needs and secure the required funding.
“Government support to fund projects such as this is absolutely critical for regional Australia – especially now as the economy begins its recovery from the pandemic.
“These projects will help to boost local economies and communities in the short-term while also supporting long-term industry growth and regional development outcomes,” said Professor Klomp.
The School of Mining in Rockhampton will complement the School of Manufacturing in Gladstone that was opened in late-2022.
The School of Manufacturing (Gladstone) and the School of Mining (Rockhampton) were made possible thanks to Commonwealth Government funding of more than $30 million, with CQUniversity also contributing $7 million towards the projects.
Both the Rockhampton and Gladstone facilities have been constructed by FDC Construction and Fitout (QLD) Pty Ltd.
History – School of Mines Rockhampton
Speech delivered at the opening of the School of Mines on Wednesday 15 March 2023.
133 years & 4 days ago, so, back on Wednesday, 19 March 1890, The Morning Bulletin newspaper printed:
School of Mines
The many advantages to be obtained from the establishment of Schools of Mines in populous mining centres are admitted by everyone. It is somewhat astonishing, therefore, that in Queensland, which has some claim to be considered the leading mining colony of the Australian group-in Gold production -so little has been done to found such invaluable institutions. At the last general election the various candidates for electorates in the immediate neighbourhood of Rockhampton, were closely questioned on this very subject. Each admitted the necessity of having a School of Mines at Rockhampton. Further, the aspiring candidates promised to do all in their power to induce the Government to establish such a School here without delay.
Interestingly, they obtained a copy of the Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report for guidance and insight – When CQUniversity merged with CQ TAFE the university turned to University of Ballarat, for insight and guidance on establishing a dual sector institution.
Some 14 years later, in 1904 The School of Mines opened in Rockhampton.
Travel forward almost 90 years, in the late 1990s TAFE QLD formed TQ Mining and established a Mining School – Rockhampton was chosen as the location.
Fast forward, here we are on Wednesday 15 March 2023, we have officially opened this amazing School of Mining Rockhampton, funded by the Australian Government.
It is said, things come in threes, this is the 3rd school of mining for Rockhampton (that we know of) and when you tour the facility, you will see it is the best, it is very impressive, an amazing mining school, with still lots more to come, benefiting our industry employers and future workforce.
