Leading academic to head Queensland’s future skills and workforce advisory body

Former Vice-Chancellor of Queensland University of Technology and prominent international and national university leader, Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake will spearhead Jobs Queensland, the state’s advisory body to prepare Queensland for the jobs of the future.

Announcing Professor Coaldrake’s appointment as the new chair of Jobs Queensland, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today welcomed the expertise he would bring to the position.

“Professor Coaldrake joins Jobs Queensland with a wealth of experience as a board and advisory body member and is eminently qualified to lead Jobs Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“After 14 years as QUT Vice-Chancellor, he has a particular interest in the impact of changes sweeping through industries.

“These are changes which are transforming economies and the nature of jobs and employment.

“Peter has been a big supporter of Advance Queensland and knows about unlocking the jobs of the future and identifying the skills that people will need to possess.”

Skills and Training Minister Shannon Fentiman said Professor Coaldrake possessed strong leadership capabilities and a thorough knowledge of the changing labour market.

“Professor Coaldrake’s appointment has been approved by the Governor in Council and follows an open merit expression of interest process,” Minister Fentiman said.

“He is well-equipped to build on the success of Jobs Queensland and continue the progress being made to develop a skilled workforce for the state’s key industries and support growing regional economies.

“I also offer my thanks to the interim Chairperson, Mr Peter Henneken, who will continue as a board member,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Jobs Queensland is assisting our efforts to generate more jobs across the state and to prepare for the skilled jobs of the future through their work to anticipate skills needs,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Jobs Queensland’s work is also supporting our tourism and advanced manufacturing industries and enabling place based responses to workforce issues such as a workforce plan for the Fraser Coast region.

“Jobs Queensland has also worked with the manufacturing industry in Ipswich to develop a manufacturing workforce report and action plan to support skills and employment growth in the region.

“Professor Coaldrake will assist Jobs Queensland in build on this work and Jobs Queensland will deliver research focused on the future of work, how to best support social enterprise and how to strengthen policy outcomes achieved by the Certificate 3 Guarantee program.”

The Palaszczuk Government will hold a skills summit on November 28.

Industry, small business, universities, the training sector, unions and government will come together to make sure the state is ready and able to meet the labour force needs of a rapidly changing economy.

Last updated 12 April 2019