$30m Huawei training centre for Sydney

Chinese technology giant Huawei is in the final stages of construction of a major new IT training facility in Chatswood, Sydney.

The $30 million National Training and Development Centre is due to open in August. It is expected to train around 2000 people per year initially, rising to between 5000 and 6000 within two years.

Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham visited the under-construction facility on Thursday.

He said the facility will offer training opportunities for Australians, including students from the Australian Technology Network of universities as well as vocational training and education students.

“This will include the training of 100 Australian students each year, including 50 VET students, following the signing of a letter of commitment from Huawei Australia as part of Huawei’s Corporate Social Responsibility,” he said.

“Additionally, state-of-the-art technology will be used within the centre’s labs to undertake vital research and development locally.”

Huawei also plans to use the facility to support its Seeds for the Future initiative, which involves giving promising ICT students from around the world work experience with the technology vendor.

“Having just returned from an international education trade mission to China that included a visit to Huawei’s flagship executive briefing centre in Beijing, this new training facility is a strong example of how we are strengthening the Australia–China skills relationship,” Birmingham said.

“As a global leader in cutting-edge technology, this investment by Huawei in Australia shows a real and tangible commitment to upskilling our future and current workforce.”

Image courtesy of Kārlis Dambrāns under CC