"With the rapidly expanding resources sector driving demand for high-skill, high-wage jobs in regional areas, being able to not only work but also train locally will make a big difference to the lives of young people in Biloela and the surrounding area," Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson said.

He said the Banana Engineering Skills Training Centre, which was built by Gladstone Area Group Apprentices with $2.5 million in funding from the government, enhanced opportunities for local training targeted at the specific needs of the resources and energy industries located in the Biloela region.

Skills Minister Chris Evans said the new centre was an important part of the government's broader skills and training agenda.

"In the context of an increasingly internationally competitive resources industry our focus must be on improving productivity and skilling, and training more Australians is an absolute priority," he said.