Townsville’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.
• Townsville region predicted to have the third fastest employment growth in the state (12% since 2021-22) – employing over 134,000 workers by 2025-26.

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 Townsville including in the care, nursing, retail and construction industries 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 4,400 students across Townsville 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 Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart MP:

“Under the new Miles Government’s plan for the future Townsville is going to go from boom to boom – so our Free TAFE program is critical to allowing people who have never been able to afford training to gain new skills to enter or re-enter the workforce.

“By securing a Free TAFE place, locals can go on to work on some of the largest, transformational projects happening in Queensland – including Copperstring 2032 and the critical minerals and green hydrogen projects transforming our energy future.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper MP:

“In the years ahead, this region will benefit from a $1.2 billion investment under the Big Build program – delivering the infrastructure we need, while creating an estimated 3,400 local jobs.

“With so many people looking to train, retrain and upskill to take-on the bounty of opportunities before us, it’s little wonder Education and Training is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Townsville.

Quotes attributable to Member for Mundingburra Les Walker MP:

“In the proud garrison city of Townsville, we welcome veterans like Rye Stott – who has chosen to pursue a career as a VET teacher following his service as a soldier and cargo specialist in the Australian Defence Force.

“Veterans have a wealth of expertise across a broad range of industries, and their passion, dedication and discipline is well-suited to the Education and Training sector.

“Employed by TAFE Queensland here in Townsville, Rye is now teaching licensing and construction training – engaging the region’s future construction workforce.”

Quotes attributable to Rye Scott, VET teacher with TAFE Queensland in Townsville: 

“There are so many great opportunities in vocational education and training for those with skills, experience and passion to share.

“Becoming a trainer was a great career move for me and I’m enjoying being able to help others forge their own path in the construction and transport and logistics industries too.”

ATTENTION MEDIA: please click here for a photo of Rye Scott. 

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 in the Townsville region in 2025-26 will be:

• 1. Health Care and Social Assistance
  2. Public Administration and Safety
  3. Retail Trade
  4. Education and Training
  5. Construction;

• 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