Major renewable energy training hub opens in regional Qld
CQUniversity has officially opened its new multimillion-dollar renewable energy training centre in response to electric vehicle maintenance demand.
The Mackay Electric Vehicle and Renewable Energy Training (MEVET) facility was opened by Senator Nita Green this week, delivering expanded training capacity for the industry.
The 2250sqm facility is located at the Trades Training Precinct at CQUniversity’s Mackay Ooralea campus, established in response to the growing demand for EV maintenance and infrastructure skills.
MEVET will also specialise in residential and industrial renewable energy technology, providing training for apprentices entering the automotive and electrical trades and up-skilling opportunities for already qualified tradespeople.
With capacity for more than 140 students able to train at any one time, the facility significantly expands the university’s training capacity in Mackay.
Supporting the delivery of new school-based vocational education and training programs, MEVET is expected to create greater opportunities for collaboration across vocational education, higher education, research and industry.
Specialist training in light and heavy electric vehicle maintenance and repair will be available, ranging from passenger vehicles through to industrial and commercial vehicles.
This will include equipment used in the resources sector, from hydrogen fuel cell technologies and the maintenance and repair of hybrid engines, to the installation, maintenance and operation of electric vehicle infrastructure such as charging stations.
MEVET will provide specialised equipment and resources focused on renewables and the installation and maintenance of residential and industrial alternative energy infrastructure to support electrical trade training.
CQUniversity’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp, said the facility’s establishment came at an opportune time.
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“As demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy technology continues to accelerate across Australia, industry needs a workforce with the specialist skills to install, maintain and service increasingly sophisticated technology,” Klomp said.
“That challenge is particularly significant in regions such as Mackay, where the resources and heavy industry sectors are also beginning to adopt electric and hybrid technology across their operations and vehicle fleets.”
The MEVET facility is expected to put the broader Central Queensland region at the forefront of workforce development by providing access to the training required to support the transition to cleaner technologies.
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