Gladstone Energy Training Centre—building technical excellence for the Australasian region
The Australian resource sector makes significant investment in its people and also places the highest priority on safe practices. To be competitive globally the sector needs to focus on and invest in education, training and competence to the highest of standards. The ongoing development of major CSG to LNG projects in Queensland has created an opportunity for an energy industry operations and maintenance training facility of world class respond to the regional demand for a skilled workforce. Central Queensland University (CQU) is establishing such a training facility through the recent merger of CQU and Central Queensland Institute of TAFE. The proposed training facility will create pathways from trade to professional streams to support workforce development, quality and adaptive capacity. The authors describe the collaborative approach between CQU and industry sectors to contextualise units of competency in selected industry required qualifications, as well as mapping the training for the Australian Qualifications Framework. The key to the success of the CQU-industry partnership will be a holistic, blended learning approach that incorporates leading industry practices and processes. The methodologies will include in-class, onsite, online, project-based simulations, and coaching and mentoring. This blended learning approach will ensure direct application of the learning conducted through CQU to the workplace of industry. In addition, it will be able to deliver the latest insights from cutting-edge research available through the university, opening a new avenue for the partnership to grow and deliver on industry-led initiatives.