Gold Coast’s Big Build gets Big Boost with training for 1 million Queenslanders

ATTENTION MEDIA: radio grabs HERE

• New Miles Government plan delivers one million subsidised training places for Queenslanders to access good high paying jobs.
• Plan extends Free TAFE cost of living measure with 70,000 Free TAFE places.
• Gold Coast region predicted to employ more than 348,000 workers by 2025-26.
• Will help train up tradies to deliver Homes for Queenslanders plan.

In the biggest skills and training reform in almost a decade, the Miles Labor Government will fund one million training places for Queenslanders – easing cost-of-living pressures for those who want to train, upskill, reskill, and pursue careers in the state’s priority industries.

The Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024 – 2028 will help address local skills and workforce priorities on the Gold Coast including in the nursing, construction, tourism and care sectors with more free and subsidised training for locals.

The strategy extends the Queensland Government’s Free TAFE program, funding up to 70,000 Free TAFE places – including 30,000 new places – to bring down costs for Queenslanders to get into better paid jobs or start a career in high-demand industries.

It will also fund one million publicly subsidised training places in health, social services, hospitality, clean energy, construction and more.

It will build on the success of Labor’s Free TAFE initiative, which has provided free training for almost 11,000 students on the Gold Coast since the start of 2023.

Across five focus areas and five years, the strategy sets out to maximise productivity and participation, unlocking billions in annual skills investment – including a $370 million funding uplift to help kickstart the new strategy.

Quotes attributable to Housing Minister and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon:

“Queensland tradies will be critical to building more Homes for Queenslanders, which is why we’re expanding TAFE.

“There’s never been a more important time for the Gold Coast to get more Free TAFE places – allowing people who have never been able to afford training to gain new skills to enter or re-enter the workforce.

“This training will be critical to meet the demand triggered by $2.3 billion investment for the Gold Coast in the Big Build, which alone is creating an estimated 6,500 jobs.”

Quotes attributable to Gold Coast Cabinet Making and Timber Technology apprentice Emma Flori:

““I love going to work and learning new things each day. I am fascinated by the intricate processes behind kitchen and bathroom constructions and find it very cool to see how it is all put together.

“Working alongside other women gives me reassurance that I can actually make a career out of this. It’s so nice to have that connection with other female apprentices, knowing that we are doing it together.

“If traditional desk jobs don’t appeal to you and you’re inclined towards a trade, then pursue an apprenticeship, have a go on the tools and just do it."

ATTENTION MEDIA: please click here for a photo of Emma.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum: 

"We want Queenslanders at the front of the line for good local jobs in–this investment will ensure we make the most of this golden decade of opportunity.

“This strategy is not just real cost of living relief now, but a chance at a better life, with better pay and a better job, helping grow our economy right across the state.

“Labor’s Free TAFE has changed lives–people who were facing homelessness, mothers returning to work, and young people who haven’t finished high school–have completed free TAFE courses and come out with good jobs.

“There’s no clearer difference between Labor and the LNP who will jack up course fees and make young Queenslanders pay for their apprenticeships–they’ll have to, because they don’t back the coal royalties that pay for it.”

Further information:

• Jobs Queensland data projects that the largest employing industries on the Gold Coast in 2025-26 will be:

1. Health Care and Social Assistance
2. Construction
3. Retail Trade
4. Accommodation and Food Services
5. Education and Training

• Higher-level skills are also being sought by employers, with nine out of 10 new jobs requiring post-school qualifications over the 10 years to 2033 according to Jobs and Skills Australia.
• Development of the Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024 – 2028 is a key action under the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022 – 2032.

For more information and to read the Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024 – 2028, visit www.qld.gov.au/SkillsStrategy.

ENDS

Media contact:

Minister McCallum – Andrew Churchill 0472 645 871