New Mackay facility to power the delivery of in-demand skills

The Central Queensland region is set to become a national leader in electric vehicle and renewable energy skills training, with CQUniversity's new $10.7 million Mackay Electric Vehicle and Renewable Energy Training (MEVET) facility to deliver expanded training capacity for the industries of the future.

The new 2250m2 state-of-the-art facility, located at the Trades Training Precinct at CQUniversity’s Mackay Ooralea campus, was officially opened by Senator The Hon Nita Green on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.

Designed to respond to the growing demand for skills in electric vehicle maintenance and infrastructure, as well residential and industrial renewable energy technology, MEVET will provide training for apprentices entering the automotive and electrical trades and upskilling opportunities for already qualified tradespeople.

The facility significantly expands CQUniversity’s training capacity in Mackay, with more than 140 students able to train across the facility at any one time.

It will also support the delivery of new school-based vocational education and training programs and create greater opportunities for collaboration across vocational education, higher education, research and industry.

MEVET will enable CQUniversity to deliver specialist training in light and heavy electric vehicle maintenance and repair, ranging from passenger vehicles through to industrial and commercial vehicles, including equipment used in the resources sector.

This will include hydrogen fuel cell technologies, the maintenance and repair of hybrid engines, and the installation, maintenance and operation of electric vehicle infrastructure such as charging stations.

Electrical trade training will also be supported through the provision of specialised equipment and resources focused on renewables and the installation and maintenance of residential and industrial alternative energy infrastructure. 

CQUniversity’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp said that the delivery of the new facility has come at an opportune time, with technological change reshaping the skills required across the automotive, electrical, resources and energy sectors.

“As demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy technology continues to accelerate across Australia, industry needs a workforce with the specialist skills to install, maintain and service increasingly sophisticated technology.

“That challenge is particularly significant in regions such as Mackay, where the resources and heavy industry sectors are also beginning to adopt electric and hybrid technology across their operations and vehicle fleets,” said Professor Klomp.

“MEVET puts Mackay and the broader Central Queensland region at the forefront of workforce development, ensuring apprentices and qualified professionals have access to the training required to support the transition to cleaner technologies.

“Whether it is the installation of domestic solar systems, servicing electric vehicles, or supporting heavy industry as it transitions to electric and hybrid fleets, demand for skilled workers is increasing at an unprecedented rate. The MEVET facility has been designed to help meet that demand through targeted training, upskilling and industry collaboration.”

The $10.7 million MEVET facility was funded by the Australian Government and CQUniversity and was constructed by Woollam Constructions.

The MEVET facility is expected to play an important role in helping to ensure the region has the skilled workforce required to support new infrastructure, technology, maintenance and long-term industry growth.