Centre of Excellence

The future of manufacturing in Queensland

The Manufacturing Skills Queensland Centre of Excellence will be designed to make an impact in the manufacturing industry—offering the training and skills needed to ensure our manufacturers are locally and internationally competitive and continue to thrive. Through state-of-the-art manufacturing and engineering spaces, equipped with the latest technology manufacturers will be able to stay at the forefront of industry advancements. The centre will also offer a range of other facilities to manufacturers and the broader business community including conference and office spaces.

Training on track

As part of Queensland’s commitment to local manufacturing and skills development, the Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, located in the Fraser Cost, will play a crucial role in preparing local workers for the Queensland Government’s Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP) and other advanced manufacturing initiatives across the state.

For more information about the QTMP, please visit the Department of Transport and Main Roads website.

Our vision for the centre

Maryborough is home to some of the most impressive manufacturers in Australia—they are a vital part of the Queensland economy, driving growth and innovation.

MSQ’s vision for the Centre of Excellence will bring together industry partners, training providers and other stakeholders to shape the future of manufacturing in Queensland.

Through the centre, manufacturers will be able to access world-class training in advanced manufacturing techniques, including advanced machining, CNC operations, robotics, and augmented welding. The centre will also integrate extended reality technologies, including virtual, augmented, and mixed reality, to provide innovative and immersive learning experiences.

A worker wearing industrial gloves and goggles showing a student a piece of machinery

Location

The Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will be located in Maryborough, Queensland. This strategic location aligns with the region’s growing importance in the state’s manufacturing landscape, particularly with the nearby train manufacturing facility at Torbanlea in the Fraser Coast region.

Availability

We anticipate the centre will be available for general access late 2025, or early 2026.

Available Training

The centre will offer a diverse range of training programmes tailored to meet the needs of Queensland’s evolving manufacturing industry. Key areas of focus include:

Advanced machining techniques
CNC programming and operation
Robotics and automation
Welding skills
Train manufacturing-specific skills
Advanced manufacturing processes and best practices

About our partners

Downer, Australia’s leading provider of rollingstock asset management services, has signed on as official Founding Partner for the Manufacturing Skills Queensland Centre of Excellence in Maryborough.

As the founding partner of the MSQ Centre of Excellence in Maryborough, Downer is proud to be at the forefront of a transformative initiative that will shape the future of Queensland’s manufacturing industry.

This partnership demonstrates Downer’s proactive approach in bridging the skills gap, ensuring a pipeline of qualified workers for the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program.

As Founding Partner, Downer is investing in the future of the Fraser Coast region, helping to establish it as Queensland’s premier rail manufacturing hub.

The partnership highlights Downer’s commitment to local job creation, offering opportunities for Fraser Coast residents to gain skills in advanced manufacturing techniques.