North Queensland construction workers are being urged to take advantage of a $37.6M training package announced today to help deliver $2.3B in construction work over the next 12 months.

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

Speaking at an industry launch in Townsville this morning, CSQ CEO Brett Schimming said the North Queensland region has a healthy pipeline of construction activity planned and underway.

“North Queensland is projected to deliver an estimated $2.3B in construction activity over the next 12 months, with nearly 100 major construction projects confirmed for delivery over the next 2-3 years, and a further 140 potential projects planned but not yet committed.

“The major project pipeline is valued at between $4.4 billion (committed) and $11.7 billion (committed + potential) over the coming years.

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

“However, there are also many residential projects that could materialise, creating work for a wider range of trades, including carpenters, electricians and plumbers.

“Large projects like the IM3 Townsville (battery plant), and Port of Townsville Expansion Project are typical of the kinds of works that will be driving activity.

“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 Queensland employment scene,” he said.

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

IM3 Townsville (Lithium-Ion Battery Plant) $2,000,000,000 Committed
Port of Townsville Expansion Project $1,600,000,000 Committed
Flood Recovery $1,500,000,000 Underway
James Cook University Townsville – Masterplan $1,000,000,000 Underway