Media Releases
Gladstone Industry Drives Smart Jobs
9th May, 2007
Gladstone Industry Cradle for Smart JobsWhether it is world leading research to fight steel corrosion or the delivery of flexible training systems that improve performance and safety, Gladstone proves that major industry is nurturing a growing nest of knowledge based jobs.
Randall Byram, chief executive of the Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board (GEIDB) is adamant that Gladstone’s big plants are quietly but forcefully pushing along Queensland’s “smart state” objectives.
“There are some clear examples. Rio’s Yarwun refinery has recently taken in a team of 14 research scientists. When you add this to the cluster of scientists at Central Queensland University’s PELM Centre and the Centre for Environmental Management it becomes clear that major industry is a magnet for smart jobs both directly and indirectly” Mr Byram said.
Mr Byram also pointed to the efforts of Gladstone TAFE and local companies to become international providers of training courses for overseas major industry.
“This is a specialised and very competitive field and it is pleasing to see that the industrial city of Gladstone is playing to its strengths and selling its know-how to a world market” he said.
According to Mr Byram, major industrial plants have an important but under-recognised role in the evolution of smart jobs in the service sector of the economy.
“At times some people have held the view that smart state is exclusively about biotechnology and electronics; that major resource processing plants are relics of a bygone era and that bulk commodity production is akin to low technology. In Gladstone’s case this view is patently false”.
“The world leading research and growing training capabilities of Gladstone demonstrate that our big plants act as a cradle that nurtures employment in knowledge based jobs as well as manufacturing jobs”.
“Over time, these knowledge jobs mature and evolve to serve markets beyond Gladstone industry. They become a self sustaining and integral part of Queensland’s internationally competitive service sector”.
Media Contact: Mr Randall Byram
Level 3, 72 Goondoon St, Gladstone QLD 4680
Tel: 07 49712318 or 0407 140 813Email: randall.byram@gladstoneindustry.org.au
