State Government targets future professionals

The Bligh Government will tackle skills shortages in priority professions such as nursing, engineering and information and communications technology as part of the new Queensland Skills Plan 2008.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the plan, which was launched today, aimed to increase participation in higher education leading to professional qualifications.

“The Queensland Skills Plan 2008 recognises the state’s economic success has created an increased demand for occupations such as nursing and ICT, which need to be addressed if Queensland is to continue to grow,” Mr Welford said.

“Enrolments in nursing courses are currently not keeping pace with those retiring from the profession, which is already feeling the impact of an ageing population.

“Queensland Health indicates that 73.4 per cent of nurses are aged over 40 years.

“The Queensland Skills Plan 2008 will review and reform access to nursing courses and reform clinical education for nursing and midwifery through a Nursing Clinical Education Best Practice program.

“Our Government will offer 30 scholarships and 30 fellowships for vocational health educators over three years and develop more flexible pathways into nursing, which will lead to a greater range of specialisations.

“Like nursing, there has been a significant drop in higher education enrolments in ICT in recent years with women particularly under-represented in the industry.

“In Queensland, it is estimated that there is a shortage of 2200 computing professionals.

“With so many industries reliant on ICT professionals, the new skills formation strategies will bring together schools, the VET and higher education sector and industry bodies to promote a positive image of ICT and the careers available.

“In the engineering field, 450 training places will be created over four years for associate professional occupations, in close collaboration with employers.”

The Queensland Skills Plan 2008 will also develop an Indigenous Higher Education Action Plan to improve opportunities for Indigenous people to enter the professional workforce,

Mr Welford will travel to six regional centres next week to outline the new measures in the Queensland Skills Plan 2008—on 1 September in Mackay; on 2 September in Mount Isa; 3 September in Townsville and Cairns; and 4 September in Rockhampton and Hervey Bay.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000