Long-term skilled employment will be the major spinoff for the region if local ship building firm Aimtek (formerly NQEA) is successful in its bid for a multi million dollar defence force tender, according to Cairns’ peak regional development agency Advance Cairns.

The agency has thrown strong support behind Aimtek’s bid to win a $300 million contract with the Australian Department of Defence to construct sections of the navy’s new air warfare destroyers.

Advance Cairns CEO Ross Contarino said, “The economic advantages of this contract are significant for our region, and we see a strong future for the maritime industry in Cairns through the avenue of shipbuilding.”

“The employment opportunities created by this construction contract would extend far beyond simple job creation. Among the estimated 250 to 300 direct jobs created, a new generation of trade-qualified workers will emerge and strengthen our regional labour force,” Mr Contarino said.

“Additionally, the labour component of this contract will support mining industry workers who have been adversely affected by the recent downturn in the industry, and in turn help to stabilise the economic impact to our region by countering the labour over-supply with a renewed labour demand,” he said.

“This is just the sort of medicine our region needs. With much of the local industry base feeling the pinch, a project like this will be a huge boost both financially and for the morale of the region. I strongly believe that projects like this one are what’s required to broaden our industry base. I would urge our local community and its elected officials to back this important manufacturing project.”

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