Construction has started on a new five million dollar Electrotechnology Centre at TAFE Queensland’s Alexandra Hills campus, with the state government promising the facility will help meet rising demand for qualified electrical workers. The project involves converting unused buildings into modern workshops equipped with the latest technology, aiming to give students hands-on experience that reflects industry needs.
Once complete, the centre is expected to train up to 140 students a year in Certificate II and III electrotechnology courses. The government says the new facility will help locals study closer to home and provide a pathway into careers that are becoming increasingly important as energy systems evolve. Jobs Queensland forecasts steady growth in the demand for electricians over the next few years, particularly across South East Queensland.
The Queensland Government is positioning the project as part of a broader effort to expand training opportunities and build a stronger pipeline of skilled workers. Ministers continue to argue that the state needs a refreshed approach after what they describe as years of stretched capacity and dated facilities under the previous administration. While that criticism reflects the political divide, the underlying issue of skills shortages in electrical trades has been highlighted by multiple industry groups over recent years.
Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Minister Ros Bates said the facility would help address long-running training gaps and support Queensland’s future energy needs. She pointed to the government’s wider investment in TAFE infrastructure, including more than two hundred million dollars earmarked for Centres of Excellence across the state, as part of a plan to strengthen vocational education.
Assistant Minister Amanda Stoker said the project reflected the government’s intention to focus on practical outcomes. She emphasised that preparing Queensland for changing energy demands requires more people with specialised technical skills, and that the new facility aims to support that shift.
Local representatives say the investment should benefit both students and small businesses. Capalaba MP Russell Field, who completed a TAFE apprenticeship himself, said employers in the region are frequently looking for trained electricians and technicians. He believes the Alexandra Hills centre will help fill that gap by providing a steady stream of job-ready graduates.
Redlands MP Rebecca Young said the new training hub would reduce the need for local students to travel long distances to access updated facilities. She argued that expanding training capacity in the region could encourage more young people to pursue electrical careers while supporting local employers seeking new talent.
The Electrotechnology Centre forms part of a wider push to modernise Queensland’s vocational training system as industries linked to energy, construction and infrastructure continue to grow. While it will take time for the facility to be completed and for the first group of graduates to emerge, the government sees the project as an important piece of work in preparing the state’s future workforce.
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