Regional voices to lead jobs and training

Published Monday, 28 October, 2019 at 10:18 AM

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

Six new Regional Jobs Committees will be established across the state to work within the community and help grow local industries by ensuring they have the skilled workforce for the jobs they need now and into the future.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the Regional Jobs Committee would help Mackay and the Whitsundays to build the skills it needs to grow employment opportunities.

“The possibilities for Mackay are strong and include addressing skills shortages in trades servicing the mining industry,” Mrs Gilbert said.

“New skills opportunities are also emerging for Mackay in health services such as aged care and disability services.

“We know small business is our state’s biggest employer with the new Regional Job Committee firmly focussed on the skills Mackay will need for the future.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said Townsville, Mackay, Fraser Coast, Springfield, Toowoomba and Redlands would host the first six Regional Jobs Committees supported by $900,000 from the Palaszczuk Government.

“Queensland is home to a diverse range of existing and emerging industries and we want to make sure Queenslanders have the skills for a successful career in those industries,” Ms Fentiman said.

“That’s why we have established six new Regional Jobs Committees because we want to support our local businesses and create more local jobs.”

“These new committees will bring together local business, government, community leaders, training providers, industry representatives, high schools and unions to develop regional job and training plans.

“These plans will help each region to be able to plan for the future training and skills needs specific to each region.”

Mines Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham said the committees would utilise the plans to advocate for investment in training and skills to help the region’s existing and emerging industries grow.

“I’m pleased to announce Greater Whitsunday Alliance will be the lead organisation for the Mackay Regional Job Committee,” he said.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to driving job growth in our regions and planning for future.”

“The new committees are part of our plan to work with all stakeholders to create more jobs, improve training pathways and raise investment in our businesses and workforces across the state.”

Each committee will benefit from research and industry engagement from Jobs Queensland, collaborate with the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning and advocate for their region’s unique workforce, training and investment needs.

“By targeting investment in the right training for the right jobs will mean local families will have better opportunities to live and work locally, while providing better economic outcomes for the whole community,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Our largest challenge will not be creating jobs, but ensuring we have a local workforce ready and trained with the skills to attract and fill those jobs.”

“Additional Regional Jobs Committees will be formed across the state and they will add valued voices to our biannual regional skills and job summits.”

The Regional Jobs Committees is one of the key actions of the Skills for Queensland – Great Training for Quality Jobs strategy which includes a strong focus on local leadership to skills and workforce challenges.

For further information about Regional Jobs Committees visitwww.desbt.qld.gov.au/skillsstrategy or call 1300 369 935.

 

ENDS

 

Media Contact:          Inga Williams              0439 949 719