Jobs Queensland to restore industry voice

Training and Skills Minister Yvette D’Ath hailed the introduction of the Jobs Queensland Bill in State Parliament today as a critical step towards restoring an independent industry voice on skills demand and long-term workforce planning.

 Ms D’Ath said the Jobs Queensland Bill fulfilled a key component of the Palaszczuk Government’s Working Queensland agenda to create jobs.

 “Jobs Queensland will be an independent authority providing strategic industry advice to government on skills demand and long‑term workforce planning,” Mrs D’Ath said.

 “Its focus will be to make Queensland’s vocational education and training (VET) sector the strongest and most productive in Australia.

 “The establishment of Jobs Queensland will reinstate the voice of industry on skills, with the organisation to be led by an independent board.”

 Mrs D’Ath said the board would bring a mix of skills, experience and capabilities to provide the best possible advice to government.

 “Members will be drawn from industry leaders, employer and employee representatives, and individuals with expert or specialist skills to help meet its functions – for example, people with experience in market or regulatory economics and research,” she said.

 “It is important for industry to help target our government’s priorities investment in VET to underpin effective skills development and sustainable economic growth in Queensland.

 “Industry‑led workforce planning is critical to raising productivity, stimulating innovation and achieving global competitiveness.

 “For industry and employers, it will provide the opportunity to inform government of the skills they need to grow their business in the medium to long term.

 “For the community and workforce, including apprentices and trainees, it will help support economic growth across Queensland.

 “Jobs Queensland is a huge improvement on its predecessors and delivers the government’s commitment for an authority focused on genuine industry engagement.”

 The proposed start date for Jobs Queensland is January 4, 2016.