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.
The new precinct, based at the CQUniversity’s current Rockhampton North campus, 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 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 Government’s commitment to TAFE.
“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 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.
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.
