Back to work for more Queenslanders

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman visited SkillsTech in Acacia Ridge today to encourage students and employers to access the Palaszczuk Government’s $5 million Trade Skills Assessment and Gap Training program.

“This is an industry-led trade training initiative that provides a pathway for Queenslanders who already have years of experience on the job but are looking to upskill, reskill and earn a trade qualification,” Ms Fentiman said.

The program provides funding of up to $4,700 per trainee to get the qualifications they need to advance their career.

Graduates from the program have recognised trades qualifications across diverse industries such as automotive, engineering, hospitality, food processing and manufacturing.

“The program supports employers to take on more apprentices, by ensuring business owners and their staff who have completed a trade qualification are recognised by the Queensland Government as workplace supervisors of apprentices.

SkillsTech General Manager John Tucker said TAFE Queensland is invested in the future of trades in Queensland and proud to offer the Skills Assessment and Gap Training program to eligible individuals."

"It provides those employed within the trade industry the opportunity to have their existing skills recognised to gain a trade qualification - offering personal and professional growth opportunities for both individuals and employers."

"The program uses recognition of prior learning (RPL) to assess and recognise existing skills and identifies the gap training required to complete the qualification."

"Since the program was introduced we have had over 300 individuals successfully gain trade qualifications with this number continuing to rise."

Ms Fentiman said this fantastic program increases productivity and encourages business growth, while also supporting staff to upskill and move forward in their career.

“We want more people in training not less.”

“With the Federal Government’s own agencies reporting the real challenge is unlikely to be a shortage of jobs, but rather a shortage of workers appropriately skilled to fill those jobs, it is alarming that they would rip $40 million in funding from training under the National Partnership Agreement on Skills Reform.“

“While the Palaszczuk Government is getting on with the job of bridging skills gaps and providing real pathways to jobs, Malcom Turnbull is walking away from a genuine funding partnership on training and placing 4,000 training places at risk in Queensland.”

Applications from Pre-Qualified Suppliers for the latest round of Trade Skills Assessment and Gap Training funding close on 31 March 2018.

For more information or a full list of priority trades supported under TSAGT and approved Pre-Qualified Suppliers, visit https://training.qld.gov.au/providers/funded/tradegap.

ENDS

Media contact:  Inga Williams         0410 769 711