Digital funding boost for Queensland workers ahead of Skills Summit

Published Wednesday, 14 November, 2018 at 10:04 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
The Honourable Shannon Fentiman

Queensland industries are set to benefit from more than three million dollars in training funding to assist them to transition to new practices for existing workers as they embrace new digital technologies.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated the recipients and said the funding would help industry to ensure Queensland had the skilled workforce for the future.

“We are continuing to plan for the future of Queensland and this investment will ensure our fast-growing industries will continue to thrive,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“This could not come at a better time in the lead up to this month’s Skills Summit which will bring together the state’s heads of industry to discuss the future of work with educators, training providers, mayors and unions.”

Announcing the first recipients of the new Training in Emerging and Innovative Industries (TEII) Fund, Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said more than 2,600 workers would boost their skills through the projects across the state.

“Digital technology is the way we live and do business, from health to agriculture, and we need to make sure Queenslanders can upskill and reskill for the jobs of the future,” Ms Fentiman said.

“The successful organisations will be rolling out 16 projects thanks to funding of up to $350,000 that will assist businesses to train their employees in digital and sustainable practices.”

“For example the National Retail Association will now be able to assist 125 Queenslanders to gain the additional skills they need through face-to-face workshops and webinars.

“We know our farming industry has moved beyond traditional skills, so funding of $150,000 will enable the Queensland Farmers’ Federation to work with 100 farmers and employees to gain the skills needed for the future of farming.

“And Queensland’s leading training provider, TAFE Queensland received $890,000 for three projects including workshops for the aged care industry, and training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander small businesses to meet the demands of a digital economy.

“The Palaszczuk Government is investing in the future of Queensland so we can ensure we have the skilled workforce for emerging industries.”

The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training received 23 applications across 14 industries under the TEII Fund.

The successful applicants are:

- FNQ Growers Mareeba and District Fruit and Vegetable Growers
- MINTRAC (National Meat Industry Training Advisory Council Limited)
- National Retail Association
- QMI Solutions
- Queensland Farmers’ Federation
- Queensland Resources Council
- Queensland Tourism Industry Council
- Queensland Trucking Association
- TAFE Queensland
- Pharmacy Guild of Australia
- Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise

For further information visit www.training.qld.gov.au/sqw or call 1300 369 935.

ENDS 

Media Contact:      Inga Williams          0439 949 719