INVESTING IN SKILLS

Our plan will ensure Queenslanders have the skills they need to find meaningful jobs and set up pathways for the future

Queensland’s future economic prosperity depends on having a skilled workforce.

The availability of skilled labour will be one of the key factors in attracting investment and creating jobs during Queensland’s economic recovery.

That is why the Queensland Government is making critical investments to ensure small businesses, workers and jobseekers can continue to access the skills and training they need to recover and prosper in the future.

This investment is the key to ensuring that Queensland has a highly skilled and adaptable workforce. One that can meet the needs of employers, compete for jobs
and be ready for emerging opportunities across all regions and industries.

In August 2019, we released the Queensland Skills Strategy, Skills for Queensland: Great training for quality jobs following extensive consultation with stakeholders.

This plan builds on the foundations of the Queensland Skills Strategy – as well as the Queensland Government’s $978 million investment to support skills and training - to help businesses, industry, the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector and individuals respond to disruption and drive our future economic prosperity.

Encouraging Apprenticeships

Our trade businesses play an important role in developing the next generation of skilled workers. Through apprenticeships and traineeships, businesses help secure Queensland’s future workforce, support a strong future of their industries, and rebuild local economies.

Given the challenges of the current environment, the Queensland Government has been working with employers to help retain existing apprentices and trainees and employ the future apprentices
and trainees who will contribute to Queensland’s economic recovery.

Fostering lifelong learning through higher level apprenticeships and micro credentials in emerging industries will also embed resilience and adaptability into our workforce over the long term.

Digital Learning and Skills

Enhanced digital skills and capabilities are essential for our workforce and businesses to adapt to a restructured, recovered economy and to keep our industries at the forefront.

Along with free COVID-Safe training to get businesses back up and running as our restrictions ease, we have also provided a wide range of free online training through TAFE Queensland and Central Queensland University including free online digital literacy and data security.

As digital skills become increasingly important for meaningful workforce participation, supporting Queenslanders to access ICT and digital skilling opportunities will be crucial as we prepare for new ways of working.

Creating Pathways for Young People

We want every young Queenslander to succeed at school and to transition to further study or work. Each young person deserves access to a quality and meaningful education. This is a foundation of success for individuals, their families and the Queensland economy.

We will continue to build upon our commitments to give young Queenslanders access to the skills they need to secure meaningful jobs and grow the Queensland economy.

Reskilling for Queenslanders

We will extend reskilling opportunities in priority industries for all Queenslanders.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of support for those in the community most vulnerable to reduced employment opportunities. The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative provides help to eligible Queenslanders to gain the skills, qualifications and experience needed to enter and stay in the workforce.

Highlighted Action to Date

The Queensland Government has been responsive in supporting a broad cohort of workers, small businesses, apprentices and trainees, government-subsidised registered training organisations and jobseekers impacted by the pandemic.

We have invested in skills for the future through new apprenticeship and training centres in hydrogen and renewable energy. We are providing targeted support to education and training providers, including through a $150 million loan facility for Queensland universities to support cash flow and protect jobs.

Most importantly, the Queensland Government is helping train and support jobseekers get back into work through:

$70 million extension to the successful Back to Work program to encourage employers to hire eligible unemployed Queenslanders, including a new Apprentice and Trainee Boost of up to $20,000
$10 million extension to the successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work program, which provides training and employment support to disadvantaged Queenslanders
$10 million Reef Assist Program to deliver priority environmental projects and create up to 200 jobs in the Great Barrier Reef catchments.

The Queensland government has made a significant increased investment in skills so that more Queenslanders have access to free, or low cost, training places in areas of identified skills needs and continues to work with the Australian Government in relation to matched funding from a new$1 billion national JobTrainer fund.