If they are true to their word then the re-elected Palaszczuk Government in Queensland will be helping to build a $4m state-of-the-art training facility at Beenleigh, which was part of their pre-election promises.

The facility is planned to be built at an existing warehouse in Quindus Street on the proviso that the government funding is matched by the industry.

“This will be a centre of excellence for fire protection, plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning training, meeting the demand for new apprentices each year,” says Minister for Training and Skills Yvette D’Arth.

“This industry is at the forefront of providing solutions to issues like fire risk, energy costs and climate change and we must ensure we’re providing for the jobs of the future.”

The industry funds would come from the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC), which has already purchased the site. PICAC is currently operating out of a Trades College in Salisbury that is over capacity, making it difficult to accommodate new apprentices.

Yvette says that when the new facility is operational, it will provide an annual boost of 150 qualified apprentices and 100 pre-apprentices, as well as 500 people up-skilling or re-skilling.

National Fire Industry Association of Australia chief executive Wayne Smith welcomed the announcement and says it shows the Palaszczuk Government is committed to stamping out poor fire protection practices.

“We applaud this commitment, which will turn Queensland into the nation leader in fire protection through world class training, investing in skills, quality well-paying jobs and a community that knows that this safety new is in place.”