Gladstone Regional Enablers Program: Enhancing Renewable Innovation in Regional Queensland
The project seeks to drive sustainable growth, catalyse the adoption of clean technologies and to strengthen the broader innovation framework. This partnership underscores a commitment to community-driven progress by encouraging collaboration between educational institutions, industry and government stakeholders and local communities.
The initiative aims not only to bolster innovation but also to inspire the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs, creating a sustainable and prosperous future for the Gladstone region and beyond. By engaging youth in STEM-focused activities, the project helps prepare the future workforce for emerging opportunities in science, technology, engineering and renewable energy sectors.
Through targeted events, networking opportunities and hands-on activities, this project aims to lay the foundation for a dynamic and inclusive regional innovation ecosystem.
Over the next three years, the program aims to create measurable impacts, including increased awareness of STEM career pathways, growth in innovation-driven enterprises and stronger community-industry partnerships.
Find out more about our annual events and activities
The three-year program will consist of three key components:
- An annual student innovation challenge to inspire and develop emerging talent.
- Industry/business information and networking sessions to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- An opportunity for local innovators to attend the Tropical Innovation Festival in Cairns each year.
Additionally, the program includes a research component to assess impact on regional innovation.
The Gladstone Regional Enablers Program research project is part of CQUniversity's Centre for Research in Equity and Advancement of Teaching and Education (CREATE). The project aims to build on research findings to design, develop and deliver an annual two-day school student challenge as well as two industry networking and pitch events annually. The research conducted will assess the impact of the interventions on the understanding of energy and environmental innovation and careers in this sector for school students, industry and community groups. Research results will inform the design of future activities and events in the program.
The research seeks to address the following questions:
- What is the impact of a co-designed intensive two-day school student challenge on student understanding of energy and environmental innovation and interest in careers in this sector?
- What are the effective strategies to improve student understanding of energy and environmental innovation and interest in careers in this sector?
- How can networking and pitch events be used for improving community understanding of energy and environmental innovation and skills and careers in this sector?
- How can pitch events lead to innovative projects in the Gladstone region?
The image below outlines the research component of the project. <insert slide>
Each year, Gladstone Regional Enablers will support a small number of local innovators and key stakeholders to attend the Tropical Innovation Festival in Cairns. The Tropical Innovation Festival, held in June, will provide local innovators with valuable insights, enriching the local innovation strategies and fostering regional growth.
About the Tropical Innovation Festival
The week-long Festival is an opportunity for participants to meet founders, government, ecosystem enablers and decision makers in an engaging and inspiring setting. The Festival includes a two day conference, networking and pitch events, intensives and deep dives into innovation.
Please contact us for further information about this opportunity.
Gladstone REP Enterprise Builders Schools Program 28 & 29 May 2025 at CQU’s Gladstone Campus
The challenge centres on entrepreneurship, encouraging students to explore how businesses and industry can lead and accelerate innovation in the renewable energy sector.
Students have options of participating in one of two streams:
- Stream 1: Renewable Products & Prototypes – Students will design a physical product that advances renewable energy, from cutting-edge hardware to sustainable consumer goods. For example, they might develop a phone case with an integrated solar panel for on-the-go charging or a new type of wind-powered streetlight that reduces reliance on the grid.
- Stream 2: Sustainable Solutions & Services – Focusing on service-based solutions, students will propose innovative business models that support the transition to renewable energy. This could include a solar panel installation company aimed at making renewable energy more accessible for homes and businesses or a consulting service that helps companies transition to more sustainable energy sources.
Students will discover how entrepreneurship can drive sustainable energy solutions through the development of innovative products, prototypes and business models. Students will have an opportunity to pitch their idea at the Gladstone REP event in September.
For further information about the Enterprise Builders program please email regionalenablers@cqu.edu.au
Two networking and pitch events will be held annually, bringing together innovators, industry leaders, business professionals, problem solvers, tinkerers and government representatives. These events aim to strengthen collaboration and foster partnerships that accelerate renewable energy innovation and sustainable solutions. They offer a platform for showcasing ideas, forming strategic connections and sparking new opportunities across sectors.
Students from the Enterprise Builders innovation challenge will be provided with an opportunity to pitch their innovative ideas at these event. Guest speakers from the renewable ecosystem and regional innovators will also present at the events.
The next networking and pitch event will be held in September 2025.
Further information about this event will be posted shortly. For further information about the events please contact the CQUniversity Regional Enablers team.
Get Involved
Want to support the Gladstone Regional Enablers Program? Here’s how you can get involved:
- Join our events – whether as a speaker, participant, or pitch presenter
- Become a partner organisation – collaborate with us to drive regional innovation
- Be a Gladstone REP advocate – help spread the word and champion the program
For more information, contact us at regionalenablers@cqu.edu.au.
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Discover More
Centre for Research in Equity and Advancement of Teaching and Education (CREATE)
CREATE explores innovative approaches to learning and teaching through applied and experimental research.
Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy
Learn more about the Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy.
STEM Central
Learn more about the STEM Central facility and the work the team is doing in addressing the national (and International) STEM crisis at the local level.
Hydrogen Central
Learn about Hydrogen Central and discover how this incredible element could shape our region’s future.
