New Indigenous training opportunities

The Bligh Government will offer job pathways into the mining sector for 240 Indigenous Queenslanders through subsidised pre-vocational training.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the new Indigenous Skilling Partnerships Program was part of the new Queensland Skills Plan 2008.

“Indigenous people are increasingly gaining jobs in the mining industry and helping ease critical labour shortages,” Mr Welford said.

“The new skilling program is a partnership between our Government, the Queensland Resources Council and its member companies to increase Indigenous employment in the resource sector.

“During the next two years the program will prepare Indigenous students for vocational training in areas such as mining, civil construction, hospitality and business services.”

Mr Welford said training providers would be required to offer culturally appropriate support, both during training and for a short period after job placement.

He said the program was one of several Queensland Skills Plan 2008 initiatives to increase job opportunities for unemployed and under-employed Queenslanders.

“The Skilling Assistance Package for Skilled Migrants has also been developed to help lift this group’s workforce participation,” Mr Welford said.

“The package will help improve the way we inform migrants about job opportunities and assist them through gap training and bridging programs.

“It will include increased support for work experience and English language training, as well as making sure migrants are plugged into opportunities for Recognition of Prior Learning.

“In the trades, women and Indigenous people continue to be under-represented, so will promote trades training to these groups, as well as to the unemployed.”

Mr Welford launched the Queensland Skills Plan 2008 today and will travel to six regional centres to outline the new measures—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