Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) today announced the $37.6M training investment package as part of its 2019-2020 Annual Training Plan, with specific training programs to match forecast industry activity and skilling requirements of major projects.

Civil construction workers, earthmoving plant operators, concreters and labourers will be in hot local demand over the next few years, with Mt Isa workers urged to take advantage of a $37.6M training package announced today.

With a 150% increase in general construction activity forecast for North West Queensland, training and upskilling of the local workforce will be critical to ensure there are enough skilled workers to meet the increased demand.

Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) today announced the $37.6M training investment package as part of its 2019-2020 Annual Training Plan, with specific training programs to match forecast industry activity and skilling requirements of major projects.

CSQ CEO Brett Schimming said North West Queensland has a growing pipeline of construction activity planned and underway.

“North West Queensland is projected to deliver an estimated $575M in construction activity over the next 12 months – an increase of 151% on the previous 12 months.

“This activity will be driven by an acceleration in engineering work connected to various large projects – around 24 major construction projects confirmed for delivery over the next 2-3 years, with a further 37 potential projects planned but not yet committed.

“Big civil infrastructure projects like the Black Rock Cave Project and the Rocklands Project are typical of the kinds of works driving up activity.

“The project pipeline is valued at between $285 million (committed) and $2.4 billion (committed + potential) over the coming years.

“With the majority of these projects being large engineering projects, CSQ predicts an increased demand for civil construction workers, including earthmoving plant operators, concreters and labourers.”

“Our priority is making sure that these projects have a skilled and available local workforce to match changing project needs at various stages of their delivery and that is where this CSQ training investment comes in.

“It is also an opportunity for local workers to upskill by doing some training to take advantage of the new opportunities coming up in the North West employment scene.

The top 5 major construction projects committed or underway in North West Queensland include:

Black Rock Cave Project $400,000,000 Underway
Rocklands Project $200,000,000 Underway
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School – Mt Isa $5,500,000 Committed
Cloncurry Equestrian Centre – Masterplan $3,500,000 Underway
Hughenden and Richmond Hospitals Staff Accommodation $2,000,000 Underway