Premier announces Skills and Training Taskforce

Premier Campbell Newman and Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek today announced the Skills and Training Taskforce, honouring another 100-day election commitment.

Premier Newman announced Michael Roche, Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Resources Council would lead the Skills and Training Taskforce, and be joined by other key industry and business leaders as well as public and private training providers.

“Our Government is determined to grow a four pillar economy and reduce the State’s unemployment,” Mr Newman said.

“Mr Roche will work with members from other key Queensland industry sectors including construction, agriculture and tourism to overhaul the State’s training sector and meet current skills shortages and future skills needs.

“Strengthening our vocational education and training (VET) sector is a key part of delivering on my Government’s commitments by ensuring we have a skilled and productive workforce.”

Mr Newman said all taskforce members were experts in their fields and were well-placed to bring renewed vigour to the diverse skills and training landscape.

“The taskforce will consult interest groups, consider recent reviews and reports and develop recommendations for the future of our VET sector.”

Minister Langbroek, who was joined by Saxon Rice, the Assistant Minister for Technical and Further Education, said Queensland’s VET landscape was complex.

“There are almost 3,000 training organisations registered to operate in Queensland’s VET sector, including TAFE institutes, selected schools and private registered training organisations,” Minister Langbroek said.

“All these entities play a vital role in the Newman Government’s plan to secure every hard-working Queenslander a job and make us the State of opportunity once again.

“The Newman Government is committed to lowering unemployment to four per cent. Queensland’s VET sector will help achieve that and I’m looking forward to receiving taskforce recommendations and advice on how to put these organisations on the front foot.

“This review will ensure that the appropriate governance structure is in place to provide accountability, value for money and long-term co-operation between industry and
Government in Queensland,” he said.

[ENDS] 19 June 2012

Media contacts:

Premier’s office: (07) 3224 4500

Danyelle Nolan (Minister’s office) 0408 410 930

The Skills and Training Taskforce members are:

Members:

The appointed members are:

• Michael Roche, Queensland Resources Council (Chair)
• Daniel Gschwind, Queensland Tourism Industry Council
• Warwick Temby, Housing Industry Association
• Matthew Martyn-Jones, Australian Industry Group
• Alex Livingstone, Growcom
• Gary Black, National Retail Association
• Pat McKendry, Careers Australia Group
• Claire Field, Australian Council for Private Education and Training
• Michael Ravbar, Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union

Official Members:

Official members include representatives of key Government agencies, as follows:

• Julie Grantham, Director-General, Department of Education, Training and Employment
• Jon Grayson, Director-General, Department of the Premier and Cabinet
• Helen Gluer, Under Treasurer, Department of Treasury and Trade