Regional voices lead jobs and training in North Queensland

New Regional Jobs Committees are being set up across the state to help grow local industries and develop the skilled workforces we need now and into the future.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said Regional Jobs Committee would help Townsville to build the skills the North Queensland needs to grow.

“Health care and social assistance, transport logistics and warehousing, manufacturing and professional services such as ICT have been identified as priority focus areas for skills renewal and jobs in Townsville,” Mr Stewart 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.”

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the Palaszczuk Government’s goals fire jobs growth were clear.

“Our Regional Job Committee will be collaborating with industry and training organisations to develop the skills and workers Townsville needs for the future,” Mr Harper said.  

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

“Access to diverse skills means more jobs and stronger regions, and that’s in everybody’s best interests.”

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.

“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.

“The committees will utilise the plans to advocate for investment in training and skills which will help the region’s existing and emerging industries grow.”

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.

The formation of 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 placed-based responses and local leadership to skills and workforce challenges.

“Additional Regional Jobs Committees are being considered across the state and they will add valued voices to our biannual regional skills and job summits,” Ms Fentiman said.

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

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

ENDS

Media Contact:          Inga Williams              0439 949 719