Government-funded vocational education and training (VET) numbers continue to fall, according to figures from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). There were 1.1 million students enrolled in the VET system in 2018, down 1.9 per cent compared with 2017, according to a new report, gogvernment-funded students and courses 2018. The report provides a…
The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) has approved a loan of up to $610 million for Genex’s Kidston pumped hydro project in Queensland, 270 km north of Townsville. The Kidston Project is the first globally to utilise an abandoned mine and will be capable of producing 250MW of power for eight hours. NAIF CEO Laurie…
Perth shipbuilder Austal (ASX:ASB) has boosted its profit forecasts on strong gains from its Australasian ship building yards. While the company said its Alabama yard was still performing strongly with orders for two ship classes for the US Navy, it said multi-hull ferry building was now increasing on its new regional investments. Austal expects an…
Australasian smart asthma inhaler device maker Adherium (ASX: ADR) has received US Food and Drug Administration clearance for over the counter sales of its Hailie sensors. The company, founded in New Zealand, listed in Australia and headquartered in the United States, manufactures connected respiratory devices. Its’ Hailie sensor attaches to a patient’s asthma inhaler, monitoring…
Iconic liquorice manufacturer Darrell Lea has beefed up its’ chocolate offerings with a range of six blocks with the help of Monash Food Innovation. The family-owned business, which faced financial difficulties in 2012, worked with MFI to design the perfect block form, weight and demoulding ability. MFI also helped de-risk the production process through the…
New materials leader First Graphene (ASX: FGR) has made its first commercial sales of its breakthrough PureGRAPH material manufactured in Perth. The company, which has established a 100 tonne per year plant at Henderson, has shipped to customers in the UK, Ireland and Germany, according to an investor announcement. It also revealed formal, long-term supply…
Two northern Australian mega-projects to turn solar energy onto fuels exportable to our Asian neighbours have taken steps towards reality, opening up new manufacturing opportunities. The Guardian today reported a series of low-key events held in the Northern Territory three weeks ago by those behind a $20 billion venture to generate solar electricity and export…
Comment by Peter Roberts If you are a manufacturer in the defence business, or are diversifying into the sector, you are very likely onto a good thing. Yes, everyone has heard the government’s boast that it has spending of $200 billion planned on new equipment, including $50 billion for submarines and $35 billion for frigates.…
Lithium Australia (ASX: LIT) has announced progress on a number of fronts in its strategy of developing value-adding businesses in the fast-growing lithium metal space. The company detailed significant progress in its technologies to produce lithium chemicals, produce lithium cathode powder, make lithium-ion batteries and in battery recycling. The company is also evaluating several potential…
South Australia’s Bird In Hand winery has joined a growing trend in the wine making industry to move from production to full blown tourist destination. The winery at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills has lodged a development application for a $30 million upgrade which focuses on everything other than the vintage. It envisages a 40…
