PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Australia’s first Hydrogen Centre of Excellence has opened in Brisbane.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk opened the A$20-million vocational training centre in Beenleigh on Wednesday, in partnership with the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC).

It’s one of four renewable and hydrogen training centres committed to by the Queensland government which will see apprentices and trainees graduating with skills to meet the needs of our future energy system.

Palaszczuk said the centre would support more good job opportunities in Queensland’s growing hydrogen sector.

“Queensland is on track to becoming a global hydrogen heavyweight. We recently announced our A$62-billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan which will drive our renewable energy transformation.

“This includes developing our hydrogen industry which is expected to grow by A$19-billion and create 4 350 jobs by 2040. We’re already on our way with 40 hydrogen projects happening across the state.

“But to realise the full economic potential of our energy transformation, we need to invest in our workforce – and this new A$20-million training centre does that. We want to deliver Queensland’s energy transformation with our own resources and our own people, which is why we are investing heavily in skills and training.”

Treasurer Cameron Dick said the energy transformation provided Queensland with a once-in-a-generation jobs opportunity.

“Our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan will support 100 000 new jobs, the majority of which will be in regional Queensland,” the Treasurer said.

“Queensland has the natural resources, the ports, the workforce and the skills to become a global leader in the emerging green hydrogen industry, which will be good for Queensland’s economy.”

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the new facility would leverage partnerships to help supercharge the hydrogen industry in Queensland by delivering a skilled workforce.

“This partnership demonstrates how working together with industry, unions and government, we can deliver a world-class workforce in Queensland. There are already 40 hydrogen projects happening across the state, and production is planned to scale up under our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.

“The training centre is the direct result of the strong collaboration that exists between the PICAC partners and the Queensland government. Working with PICAC means our government will ensure we can fast-track the development of the renewable hydrogen industry.”