Published Thursday, 16 March, 2023 at 03:23 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing
The Honourable Grace Grace
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement
The Honourable Mick de Brenni
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
The Honourable Di Farmer
The Premier has announced the 32 high schools across Queensland which will participate in the Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools program after it was expanded to include the emerging industry last year.
The industry-led program broadens science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) knowledge to diversify and assist in accelerating future skills and opportunities towards the hydrogen industry.
Students that participate in the Hydrogen Gateway Industry to Schools Partnership will be exposed to a range of learning experiences to assist them in their career choices and self-select pathways to employment.
From production, to engineering, to storage to distribution and exporting, the program offers various opportunities for schools to become involved.
This initiative offers teachers professional development to ensure they’re supported with industry knowledge to give context to STEAM teachings.
More than 2000 students will benefit over the next three years, thanks to more than $800,000 in funding from the Palaszczuk Government.
Schools registered for the Hydrogen partnership include:
South East
South West
Fraser Coast
Central Queensland
North Queensland
Far North Queensland
The broader Gateway Industry to Schools program takes in industries including Aerospace, Advanced Manufacturing, Health, Screen and Media, Agribusiness and more.
In 2022, across all 11 industries, nearly 31,000 students participated in the program which is offered through nearly 600 partnerships with state, independent and catholic schools Queensland wide.
Quotes attributable to the Premier:
“Queensland’s hydrogen industry alone is expected to grow by $19 billion, creating an additional 4,350 jobs by 2040.
“We have the potential to be hydrogen superpower.
“But we need the workforce to support this jobs bonanza so that Queensland’s future workforce is primed and ready to go to capitalise on it.
“I’m proud my government is funding this Partnership program to connect education and industry to create a better, brighter future for thousands of students.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer:
“Our schools and their students have jumped at the opportunity to explore further career options, particularly in exciting emerging industries like hydrogen.
“When we launched our Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools program we set a target of 30 schools and we have already exceeded that.
“Our school kids want the good paying jobs we will create and skill them for in the renewable and clean energy sectors.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Grace Grace:
“Queensland schools play a key role in training the workforce of the future and the Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools Program will help students kick start a career in Hydrogen.
“This Palaszczuk Government program will broaden both students and teachers’ knowledge of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics.
“Along with other school-based initiatives like our Local Schools Local Jobs election commitment, the Palaszczuk Government is preparing students for good jobs in emerging industry sectors, setting them up for a great future.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni:
“Our green hydrogen industry is the greatest jobs, climate, and export opportunity in a generation and this Palaszczuk Government initiative is giving Queensland kids a head start in the jobs and careers of tomorrow.
“By 2040, Queensland’s green hydrogen industry could support 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, unlocked by the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.”
Quotes attributable to David Cross, CEO Energy Skills Queensland:
“We are proud to be partnering with the Queensland Government, and we look forward to working with students from Catholic Education, independent and public schools across Queensland.”
Quotes attributable to Melanie Harth, Principal, Springwood State High School:
“The school is excited to join the Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools Program as a part of our commitment to delivering 21st century innovative curriculum programs.”
Quotes attributable to Ms Eureka Coetzee, Principal Redeemer Lutheran College, Biloela:
“As a rural school, we aim to grow with the needs of the region through networking with industry groups to ensure future local employment opportunities are available to our graduates.”
Further information:
The Gateway Industry to Schools Partnership expansion to include hydrogen complements the Queensland Government’s $50 million investment in hydrogen and renewable energy training infrastructure.
More information can be found at: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/employers/gateway-schools
ENDS
Media contacts – Gary Shipway, Minister Farmer’s office, 0458 090 906
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