The Queensland Government has announced a $15 million investment to establish the CQ Renewable Energy Training Facility in Rockhampton. This facility aims to support the clean energy workforce, apprentices, and high school students in Central Queensland, providing training in renewable energy to prepare them for jobs in large wind, solar, hydrogen, and storage projects. The initiative, led by Electro Group Training, will offer qualifications in renewable energy, train apprentices, and help licensed electricians upgrade their skills to work on renewable energy installations safely. The new facility in Rockhampton, the first of its kind in regional Queensland, is part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and will play a crucial role in implementing the Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap. Member for Keppel, Assistant Minister Brittany Lauga, emphasized the importance of investing in local workers to support the booming renewable energy sector and ensure a smooth transition to cleaner and more reliable energy sources. Member for Rockhampton, Barry O’Rourke, highlighted the facility's role in upskilling workers for the high-value hydrogen sector, positioning Central Queensland as a hub for hydrogen projects. Electro Group CEO, Donna Pickford, expressed the significance of this investment in providing necessary equipment and infrastructure for training local workers, emphasizing the growing demand for specialized skills in the clean energy industry. The Queensland Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni, praised the government's efforts in creating local job opportunities and driving economic growth in Central Queensland through initiatives like the training facility. Overall, the establishment of the CQ Renewable Energy Training Facility in Rockhampton signifies a positive step towards empowering Central Queensland's workforce for the clean energy transition, fostering job creation, and strengthening the region's position in the renewable energy and hydrogen sectors.