The Master Plumbers Association of Queensland (MPAQ) has released the following statement in regards to the $4m the State Government invested in its Brisbane-based training facility:

MPAQ commends the Hon. Mick de Brenni MP, Minister for Housing and Public Works and the Government on their recent announcement of the revival of the Housing and Public Works Apprenticeship Program. The commitment of the Government in advancing trade apprenticeships is evident in our industry, with the State Government announcing in late 2017 a $4 million investment to fit-out our World Leading Centre of Excellence Training Facility in Beenleigh, Brisbane.

The Minister announced today, Friday 4 May as the first day of the revival of the Housing and Public Works Apprenticeship Program, with the first advertisements in newspapers across the state of Queensland calling for applications.

The Government aims to bring back a successful apprenticeship program which will put more young Queenslanders into jobs. This means that these apprentices will be mentored by experienced tradespeople while learning the skills to build fundamental infrastructure for the state, and do phenomenal work securing and repairing our schools, hospitals and social housing.

Employment of apprentices will deliver sustainable outcomes for regional Queenslanders. MPAQ in conjunction with The Services Trades College Australia, the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union of QLD, the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union Victoria, the National Fire Industry Association and the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC), has purchased a building in Beenleigh, Brisbane which will be the new Centre of Excellence.

The new training facility is vital to ensuring that the economy of South East Queensland has the skilled workforce available to take advantage of forecast economic growth, keep its growing population safe and maintain the amenity and integrity of the built environment.

At MPAQ, we are extremely excited about the development of the World leading Centre of Excellence Training Facility and how this world leading training facility will not only be for apprentices but for all individuals. There, we hope to train the most productive, industry ready and industry relevant apprentices in the world. The Beenleigh development will enable us to deliver high-quality training and set the benchmark of excellence in training providers for the trades and services sector.

Once fully operational, the new facility will be able to accommodate approximately 700 fire, plumbing and mechanical services apprentices. In conjunction with the Housing and Public Works Apprenticeship Program, the future of the industry is moving full speed ahead.