Delivering priority skills for Queensland with new Skills Assure Supplier framework

• Registered training organisations will have the opportunity to shape and be part of the future of training in Queensland under the new Queensland Skills Strategy.
• The development of a new Skills Assure Supplier (SAS) framework will ensure Queensland is growing the priority skills our workforce and economy needs.

Launched this week, the new Miles Government’s five-year Queensland Skills Strategy will deliver one million subsidised training places, so Queenslanders can access good jobs with better pay, including more funded higher-level skills to upskill and reskill.

The Queensland Skills Strategy focuses on delivering priority skills leading to good jobs with a network of high-quality training providers offering subsidised training for Queenslanders.

The development of a new SAS framework is a key action of the new Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024 – 2028, targeting skills investment in courses leading to jobs in priority and emerging industries.

The new framework will be developed alongside the first Queensland Training Priorities Plan–to be updated annually to outline how the government is investing in skills priorities.

A new student survey will also be developed to inform changes, providing additional performance data and a longitudinal view of student pathways through the training system and the workforce.

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

“Each year, around a quarter of a million Queenslanders complete training with a Skills Assure Supplier – including public, private, not-for-profit, and dual-sector providers.

“The Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024 – 2028 is our plan to ensure Queensland has the skilled workers it needs now and into the future, while providing a modern, responsive, and accessible training system.

"A new SAS framework will support both the state’s short and long-term goals, including critical skills delivery aligned to the National Skills Agreement and skilling up Queenslanders for the good jobs being created through our Big Build and booming sectors like health, housing and education.

“With the support of our strong SAS network we can deliver world-class training for all Queenslanders – no matter who they are or where they live – creating good jobs and keeping our economy strong into the future.”

Quote attributable to Chief Executive, Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia Troy Williams:

“When it comes to the task of helping Queenslanders into their first job or upskill for a new job, it’s great that through the new skills plan the State Government recognises the work of independent training providers and their reputation for delivering quality skills training.”

Quotes attributable to Branch Secretary IEU-QNT Terry Burke:

“As the union representing trainers and assessors in private training organisations, the IEU-QNT congratulates the Queensland Government on the launch of the Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024-2028.

“While it is appropriate for TAFE initiatives to form the centre of the strategy, the agility of smaller training providers is also vital to ensure that Queenslanders are able to access quality training opportunities.

“New initiatives to ensure a quality and results driven sector, including a review of the Skills Assure Supplier framework to enhance quality training in priority skills, are welcomed by our members as opportunities to bring greater strength and stability to the sector.”

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

• 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.
• The strategy is the result of extensive consultation with more than 8,000 Queenslanders – including students, parents, teachers, employers, unions, industry, and education and training providers – who provided feedback and ideas through submissions to the discussion paper, participation in forums and focus groups, and by completing an online survey.
• Developed alongside a new annual Training Priorities Plan, contracting under the new framework is anticipated to start later in 2024.
• All eligible registered training organisations (RTOs) will have the opportunity to express interest in supplying priority training in future.
• RTOs can subscribe to a new SAS contracting alert. Alert emails will advise when the new SAS framework is open, including eligibility requirements for RTOs and details on how a new expression of interest process will work.

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

ENDS

Minister McCallum – Andrew Churchill 0472 645 871