17 per cent increase in North Qld apprentice numbers

Apprentice numbers are rising strongly in North Queensland, with construction and engineering the most popular sectors, Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said in Townsville today.

Mr Welford said new figures showed a 17 per cent rise in the region’s apprentices – excluding school-based ones – between mid-2007 and July this year.

“It’s encouraging that more than half of the 2259 registered apprentices are employed in the construction and engineering sectors, where skills shortages were most acute,” he said.

“These are excellent figures when you consider that across Queensland, apprenticeship and traineeship commencements are increasing by around 10 per cent. It’s the traditional trades which have the most serious skills shortages, and North Queensland reflects the need for more electricians, carpenters, boilermakers and fitters and automotive employees.

“These trades are a key focus of the Queensland Skills Plan 2008 and it’s pleasing to see such strong numbers.

“Our Government has backed its measures and strategies with a strong financial commitment, which includes $7.1 million User Choice funding for apprentice training in North Queensland for 2007-08. This figure represents a 48 per cent increase in apprentice funding since 2005-06.”

Mr Welford, who was in Townsville to launch the Queensland Skills Plan 2008, congratulated employers for taking on apprentices and trainees to help address the skills shortage.

“I encourage other employers to heed the example being set and also to take on an apprentice or trainee so that we can continue to grow our skilled workforce,” he said.

“Now is the time that employers should be taking on apprentices or trainees to pass on their skills to the next generation. Everyone must do their part to tackle the skills shortage.”

Mr Welford said key measures and strategies of the Queensland Skills Plan 2008 included:

• Funding of high-level training for 450 engineering associate professionals;
• A new program to help young people aged 18-24 secure work, including paid work placements, job preparation assistance and accredited training;
• A pathway into mining sector employment for 240 Indigenous Queenslanders through subsidised pre-vocational training (partnering Queensland Resource Council);
• Expanding the successful Get Set for Work program, which assists young people at risk of falling through gaps, by extending employment assistance to 19-year-olds; and
• Involving industry to a greater degree in the development of vocational training programs; TAFE teachers to spend time with local industry to increase skill levels.

To download a copy of the Queensland Skills Plan 2008, go to www.deta.qld.gov.au/skillsplan

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 0419 734 985