Action needed to fill LNG jobs
QUEENSLAND Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche has called on the state government to reform vocational education and training to meet the needs of the liquefied natural gas industry.
He said a supply driven system would help ensure Queensland had the 1500 drilling technicians, 200-plus electrical technicians, 300 diesel fitters and 1000-plus process plant operators that will be required in just five years.
“We are very good at turning out hairdressers from our TAFE institutes, and I have nothing against hairdressers,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Roche telling an industry conference.
"However, I'm less confident that we have the VET system to meet the LNG sector's demand for a range of technical skills."
He said such a commission should be directly accountable to a senior Queensland minister.
The skills shortage facing the upstream coal seam gas industry is already being addressed with seven Queensland high schools in the Surat Basin offering education and training options for students under a partnership between CSG companies, Energy Skills Australia and the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).
These schools will bring the number of QMEA schools across the state up to 25.
“For too long, the Surat Basin has been losing talented young people to employment and career opportunities outside the region,” Roche, who is also the QMEA chairman, said.
“Through the QMEA, local high school students will now have the information, incentive and encouragement they need to forge rewarding careers in a world-class local industry.
“There are literally thousands of new careers available in the upstream coal seam gas industry and associated development of export liquefied natural gas facilities near Gladstone.”
QMEA director Roger Atkins said he was confident that other regional high schools would join the academy in the next few months, and their focus would be on developing pathways to operator, trade, para-professional and professional career streams.
“We are very excited about the QMEA’s expansion into the Surat Basin, just as the school communities are in recognising the opportunities on offer.
“We are indebted to our three coal seam gas company sponsors – Origin Energy, QGC and Santos – for their significant vote of confidence in the region,” Atkins added.
Queensland Gas Company managing director Catherine Tanna said the company needed a skilled workforce for its CSG business and upcoming LNG export plans and preferred to hire locally.
“QGC hopes many of these students will join what is rapidly developing as a substantial and exciting new industry for Queensland,” she said.
Santos GLNG and Queensland president Rick Wilkinson said the partnership provided the foundations for a global centre of excellence on CSG and LNG.
“Projects such as those underway in Queensland have the capacity to change the economic landscape of the state.
“It is important that industry works with communities and educational institutions to provide opportunities to take full advantage of this situation by skilling up and developing pathways into the industry.”
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
PNN
PNN
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