NT to get new $4.45 million advanced manufacturing training centre

A new facility for upskilling workers in automation will be established in the Northern Territory through a partnership between Diverseco and Charles Darwin University and awarded funding through the territory’s Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund (AMEF.)

According to a statement on Wednesday, the new facility will include automation and robotics assets and expertise and support the upskilling of NT workers. The value of the project was given as $4.45 million, with “almost half a million dollars” contributed by the AMEF, administered by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre. 

Diverseco and CDU will work together to develop four “micro-credentials” to bring new skills to the region, with a focus on:

– automation solutions including industrial robots, collaborative robots (cobots), sortation systems, weighting solutions, dimension-weigh-scan systems, full packaging lines and industrial metal detectors;

– bespoke, and advanced system integration solutions;

– extensive after-sales services, including equipment servicing, maintenance and spare parts; and

– innovative and industry-tailored training to support for all the above capabilities.

The new facility would also support local businesses in demonstrating these technologies and developing tailored automated solutions. 

No opening dates were given in the statement regarding the new facility or courses.

“Diverseco looks forward to delivering this unique business solution into the Northern Territory and has every confidence that it will be well received by local industry and create further commercial opportunities for local manufacturers,” said Diverseco’s Managing Director, Brenton Cunningham.

The investment would also enable Diverseco to expand its support services to local manufacturers wishing to advance their operations and staff.

“Diverseco’s presence in the NT will give local manufacturers direct access to leading technology and training resulting in skills, capability and jobs growth across the industry”, added Charmaine Phillips, AMGC’s NT Director.

Applications opened in September 2021 for the AMEF, which offers grants valued between $25,000 and $500,000. The first grant, announced in April, was awarded to Corrosion Instruments.

“Growing the Territory’s advanced manufacturing industry is a key part of our strategy to grow the economy to 40 billion by 2030 and create more jobs,” said Nicole Manison, NT’s manufacturing minister.

The news follows Engineers Australia’s launch of stage one of its new micro-credentialing program last week.

Picture: supplied

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