Electrician school closure leaves more than 80 apprentices in limbo
Small businesses in central Queensland say they are fed up, as their apprentices are left with almost nowhere to train.
A local electrician school in Rockhampton has closed, leaving over 80 apprentices without a place to continue their training. Months after the school shut its doors, small businesses are still trying to find an alternative provider, highlighting the urgent need for new vocational education organisations in central Queensland. Some industry leaders warn that the government's push towards free TAFE is leaving private training providers struggling financially.
Wayne Harris, a local electrician, learned in April that his apprentices would no longer be able to complete their training at Electro Group, a not-for-profit organisation they had been training with for more than a decade. The apprentices have had to travel to Brisbane at their own expense to finish their certification. Electro Group was a joint union and industry effort, providing electrical training in Rockhampton for over a decade and receiving government subsidies.
Queensland's Employment and Training Minister, Ros Bates, stated that the government supports the diversification of training options for apprentices but has not commented on reopening Electro Group. The state government is investing in a $60 million TAFE Centre of Excellence in Rockhampton, which is expected to increase enrolment capacity in electrotechnology by 2028.
Industry experts warn that the government's focus on free TAFE courses is putting pressure on private training providers, potentially leading to more closures.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
