The Victorian Government has announced a $17 million investment for a Hi-Tech Precinct in the Latrobe Valley.
Located at the Federation Training Morwell campus, it will incorporate the new Morwell Tech School with Federation University, Federation Training, and global technology firm, Fujitsu.
Attending the announcement today, Engineers Australia’s Victorian President Chris Stoltz FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER welcomed the investment.
“The new precinct will help create jobs, infrastructure and education opportunities for local students and the wider community in the Latrobe Valley,” Mr Stoltz said.
“It is vitally important to get the education model right locally to provide the right training for young people and to encourage them to stay on and remain working in their community.
“We have been working closely with Latrobe City Council on its Economic Development Strategy, supporting the vision to become the engineering capital of Australia."
The purpose-built precinct will promote innovation, productivity and job creation with a focus on growing the sectors identified in the Council’s strategy; new energy, health, food and fibre and professional services..
Its construction is expected to create at least 80 new jobs, with hundreds of ongoing full time jobs to follow.
“Engineers Australia has also been involved with the government in planning and finding solutions to attract new industry to the region," said Mr Stoltz.
“We are working hard to get a transition strategy for the Latrobe Valley in place to reduce its reliance on a fossil fuel dependent economy to a renewable energy one, while being mindful of the job losses Hazelwood’s closure brings."
With plans to establish a service centre operation at the site, Fujitsu will help drive the ‘open innovation laboratory’, where the research, business and education communities at the precinct can access the global tech firm’s computing and data analytics capabilities.
Fujitsu’s Vice President – Sales, Glen Grant was excited for the organisation to be involved in the precinct “with a view to providing job opportunities in the Latrobe Valley, benefiting businesses and the community in the region”.