$9 million investment in regional training
Regional Queenslanders will receive training that is better targeted to local jobs through an initiative announced in Ipswich today.
Speaking at Jobs Queensland headquarters, Training and Skills Minister Yvette D’Ath announced that $9 million would be allocated over four years to the Regional Skills Investment Strategy.
“This strategy underlines our commitment to skills and training for job seekers across Queensland,” Mrs D’Ath said.
“We want to partner with regions to identify current and emerging jobs and to ensure there is a supply of skilled local people to meet this demand.”
The strategy will bridge the gap between existing training opportunities provided through the Annual VET Investment Plan and current workforce skill needs in targeted regions.
“We aim to support training that matches available jobs, and jobs of the future, in regional areas,” Mrs D’Ath said.
“This will mean that training offered will link directly to the jobs on offer and people will be able to gain work and stay in their local community.
“The Palaszczuk Government knows that parents worry about future job opportunities for their children. This strategy will identify future needs and ensure we’re matching training to those needs all across Queensland.”
The Palaszczuk Government established Jobs Queensland as an independent authority to provide strategic industry advice to government on skills demand and future workforce planning.
“I urge local Councils that are interested in working with Jobs Queensland on this exciting initiative to contact Jobs Queensland directly to begin the process of developing their own regional plans, just as the pilot program established with Ipswich City Council is doing right now,” Mrs D’Ath said.
Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said: “As the voice for industry, the regions and the community, Jobs Queensland is ideally placed to identify what skills will be required to support jobs both now and in the future.
“The state is transitioning to a more diversified economy, and we remain focused on enhancing the skills and capability of Queenslanders to access current and emerging employment opportunities where they live,” Ms Howard said.
Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said: “By listening to local business and industry representatives, we will ensure that skills and training are targeted to best meet the needs of each area, both now and into the future.”
For more information about Jobs Queensland visit https://jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au/
Last updated 12 April 2019