Uni keen to help Bowen/Whitsunday region prepare for industrial growth
Published on 22 March, 2012
CQUniversity has pledged to partner with industry and community networks to help the Bowen/Whitsunday region prepare for growth sustained by industrial development and port expansions.
The University intends to create a strategic partnership with the Whitsunday Industrial Workforce Development (WIWD) Steering Committee*, and will also work with the wider community.
A key goal is to tailor education and training availability to create a skilled local workforce able to tap into opportunities that will be emerging.
CQUniversity is keen to offer its capacity for program delivery and research to find solutions for future regional skill shortages and workforce development needs to both the local industrial sector as well as companies engaged in the large industrial and resources development projects underway and planned for the region.
CQUniversity programs may also give local industries opportunities to tap into student placements through their Work Integrated Learning ( WIL) programs.
A MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) explores the option for CQUniversity to be involved with a customised Careers Information Centre and a 'study hub' presence within Bowen, drawing on regular visits by University staff.
University representatives will also engage with diverse sectors of the Bowen/Whitsunday communities and contribute to WIWD working groups, leading to wider collaborations, capacity building, learning and knowledge transfer.
The CQUniversity business development team will coordinate educational solutions for individual companies, to meet the needs of industry stakeholders and also the regional workforce development needs identified through WIWD.
CQUniversity spokesperson Professor Nik Babovic says that, by actively engaging with and assisting industry, business and the wider community, the University is keen to establish itself as a recognised provider of vocational and higher education services.
WIWD spokesperson Colin Thompson says there is a window of opportunity of only a few years for the region to prepare for the next phase of industrial development.
Mr Thompson says WIWD recognises CQUniversity's experience of already working within communities facing similar needs and demands resulting from industrial expansion and resources development and their focus on tailor-making educational solutions is welcome.
* WIWD is under the auspices of enterprise whitsundays