Ipswich’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.
• Ipswich region predicted to employ more than 157,000 workers by 2025-26–a 5.9% rise from 2021-22.

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 in the Ipswich region including in the care, nursing, metal working, and construction 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 more than 6,800 students from Ipswich 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 the Minister for Training and Skills Development and Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum: 

"We want Ipswich locals 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.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Child Safety, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Member for Jordan Charis Mullen:

“The new Queensland Skills Strategy will include additional Free TAFE places – allowing people who have never been able to afford training to gain new skills to enter or re-enter the workforce.

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

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Treasury, Trade and Investment and Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard:

“This training will be critical to meet the demand triggered by the $1.4 billion investment for the Ipswich region in the Big Build, which alone is creating an estimated 4,100 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 David Crisafulli doesn’t back the coal royalties that pay for it.”

Quotes attributable to Ipswich raised and trained Engineering – Fabrication Trade apprentice Mattia Uusimaki:

“I am currently in my fourth year, having returned from maternity leave to complete a Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade and I am following in the footsteps of my father and grandfather, who were fitters and turners, and another grandfather, who was a blacksmith.

“I'm a big advocate for women, especially (women) starting an apprenticeship.

“I’m excited about the prospects of job flexibility and obtaining my certificate will advance my career while setting an example for other mothers striving to balance work and family life.”

ATTENTION MEDIA: please see click here for a photo of Mattia.

Further information:

• Jobs Queensland data projects that the, with the largest employing industries being:

• 1. Health Care and Social Assistance
  2. Manufacturing
  3. Retail Trade
  4. Construction
  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