INDUSTRY SKILLS ALLIANCES TO TACKLE SKILLS SHORTAGES

The State Government today announced the launch of five new industry alliances to help overcome skills shortages.

Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford, said the alliances would bring together all the key players within an industry to work together with a common purpose.

“The automotive, community services and health, hospitality and tourism, sport and recreation and creative industries are our first targets,” Mr Welford said.

“These five skills alliances will be autonomous organisations made up of major industry stakeholders, training organisations, unions and employers.

“They will provide strategic advice to Government about the skills needs of industry and will play a big part in tackling skills shortages in Queensland.

“The alliances will deliver a range of information so we can strike the right balance between the available training and what industry needs to fill jobs.”

Mr Welford said the Government was providing $3.5 milliion to support the new alliances over the next three years.

“This is an important part of the $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan,” he said.

“A range of strategies are being introduced to combat skills shortages including shorter apprenticeships, strategic partnerships with industry and upgraded TAFE facilities.

The new organisations to provide industry training information services for the Government through to 30 June 2009 are:

• Queensland Automotive Skills Alliance
• Health and Community Services Workforce Council Inc
• Creative Industries Skills Council
• Queensland Tourism Industry Council
• Recreation Training Queensland

The organisations were chosen following a public tender process and funding will be delivered over a three year period.

Media contact: Greg Milne on 32371000