Heavy Automotive Training Facility Opens In Mackay

Ten years on from the CQUniversity and CQ TAFE merger, training facilities in the Mackay region have been extended with the official opening of a new $7.5 million specialised heavy automotive training facility at the Ooralea campus.

The new facility will offer training in diesel fitting, mobile plant operation and heavy vehicle maintenance.

Courses to be delivered in the facility, boosting the number of qualified heavy automotive professionals for the region, include: Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Diesel Fitting); Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology; and Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology.

The new facility features more than $2.4 million worth of modern specialty training equipment including an air brake simulator, hydraulic training stations, transmission training simulators, diesel engine benches and an air suspension training stand for trucks – allowing apprentices at all stages of their training to build their skills using the latest technology and equipment.

The major infrastructure upgrade has already generated up to 50 jobs during construction and doubled the size of the existing CQUniversity Trade Training Centre at Mackay Ooralea.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert – pictured above third from left with Mackay Councillor Alison Jones, Mayor Greg Williamson and Deputy Mayor Belinda Hassan, CQU Mackay AVP Professor Rob Brown and VC Professor Nick Klomp – says the upgrade will make high-quality training more accessible in the region and create pathways to good local jobs.

CQU Mackay Associate Vice Vice President Professor Rob Brown, Mackay Councilors Nathenea Macrae and Peter Sheedy at the opening of the new Ooarlea heavy automotive trades training facility. PHOTO: Bill Jewell

“Final year apprentices will be able to complete their training right here in Mackay, instead of traveling to Rockhampton or Emerald for specialist training,” she adds.

“Boosting training capacity will create a pipeline of qualified heavy automotive professionals – crucial to keeping our growing region’s industries operating and keeping jobs local.”

CQUniversity’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp, adds that using state-of-the-art resources and equipment will ensure apprentices are trained with the latest and best tools, better preparing them for their future careers and the needs and expectations of industry.

The new heavy automotive training facility was funded through the Queensland Government’s $100 million ‘Equipping TAFE for our Future’ commitment.

Construction of the new project was undertaken by the WHF Group, a family-owned Mackay-based business established 30 years ago.

The opening of the new facility is a welcomed development for the region with local apprentice numbers having grown by 26 per cent in the past 12 months.