QLD PLAN TO SKILL THE STATE ACHIEVES STRONG RESULTS

Queensland’s vocational education and training system is achieving strong results with 89 per cent of students satisfied with the quality of training they had received, according to national research released today.

Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford, said the annual figures released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) showed that Queensland’s VET system was stronger than ever.

"89 per cent of graduates surveyed indicated they were satisfied with the overall quality of training,” Mr Welford said.

“Our commitment to reforming the state’s Vocational Education and Training system through the Queensland Skills Plan, released in March, is obviously paying dividends.

“Solving skills shortages is a shared responsibility between industry, both private and public training providers and government – this is a critical element underpinning the Skills Plan.

“The research figures show that greater collaboration is occurring and achieving results.”

Mr Welford said under the Skills Plan the TAFE system was undergoing a restructure and reorganisation to improve the quality of training and to ensure that training answers the needs of individuals, industry and the global market place.

“The key to addressing skill shortages is to offer practical, relevant training to individuals and industry," he said.

“TAFE Queensland, along with private providers, are obviously doing this and achieving great results.”

Mr Welford said the national research also found 80 per cent of students who completed programs in 2005 were in employment.

“And 87.9 percent of Queensland students fully or partially achieved their main reason for doing the training, again slightly higher than the national average of 86.5 per cent.”

The information related to students who completed training in 2005 from TAFE institutes, other government providers and community education providers and private providers.

Media contact: Greg Milne or Marnie Stitz on 32371000