Drone maker plans to land

A LEADING Australian drone manufacturing company is looking to set up production on the Gold Coast.

Autonomous Technology Group has confirmed they are in talks to open a centre that will see Ashmore Tafe students and graduates building the high tech hardware.

The company, which produces custom drones costing $90,000-$120,000, said they were looking to move their manufacturing arm from China to Australia.

ATG director Nigel Brown said the development of 3D printing and advancements in education make TAFE on the Gold Coast a great place to start.

“I think Australia has really become a tech incubation hub of bright ideas,” Mr Brown said.

“Manufacturing has always been one of the country’s downfalls, which means companies have been moving it offshore, but 3D manufacturing is bringing it back.

“We are really interested in new tech, Queensland is one of the standout states for initiatives and new tech facilities, especially in aviation.”

Mr Brown said the Gold Coast Tafe’s two Australian first industry certificates, concentrated on the maintenance, service and repair of autonomous vehicles, gives future workers a solid skills base.

The company hopes to finalise the location of their new base within the next two months.

Rob Jones, the Director of Industry Trade Skills Faculty for TAFE Queensland Gold Coast, said employment opportunities in the area of commercial drones on the Gold Coast were on the rise.

“They are being used widely, surveyors are using them, farms, marine safety and exploration, mining,” Mr Jones said.

“There is even facial recognition drones, or pizza delivery – so much more to come.”

TAFE is also launching another training first for Queenslanders by offering a cyber security course.

TAFE Queensland Gold Coast Region General Manager, Karen Dickinson, said the course was created to cater for growing demand in the industry.

TAFE is not alone in digital education firsts on the Gold Coast.

In 2015, Bond University introduced the only degree in Actuarial Science in Queensland, and saw the whole cohort graduate with jobs just last year.