Palaszczuk Government funds to kickstart SE Queensland trade careers

A brand new, employment based, pre apprenticeship pathway will help Gold Coast and Brisbane locals kickstart their engineering careers as part of a $25 million investment from the Palaszczuk Government.

The Pre-Apprenticeship Support program, which will extend several existing programs as well as introducing the new pathway, will help hundreds of Queenslanders secure the training they need for the job they want.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the new pathway, which will be delivered with Group Training Organisations (GTOs), will not only help people get onto apprenticeships, but to complete them too.

“Businesses right across South-East Queensland are crying out for workers, which is why investing in skills is a key priority of the Palaszczuk Government’s $14.5 billion COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan,” Minister Farmer said.

“There’s more than $1 billion for training and skills this year alone, as we know that if you get the right training, you’re much more likely to get the right job.

“For this new pre apprenticeship pathway we are working with seven GTOs who will recruit and train 301 people aged between 15 to 24 years old to complete a certificate I level qualification in construction, engineering, or hospitality.

“Those who complete the program will be supported to transition into a subsequent apprenticeship, either employed by the GTO or with another employer.

“This pathway allows people to explore the different options open to them before embarking on an apprenticeship, meaning when they do take that step, they’re much more likely to successfully complete it.”

Minister for Youth Affairs and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said it was evidence of a skills boom happening on the Gold Coast, building on 6,800 new enrolments at Gold Coast TAFE in the previous financial year, as well as major investments like the $30 million trades training improvement at Ashmore, $10 million for the Robina TAFE campus and $11 million for the Coomera Marine Training Centre.

Minister Scanlon said Apprenticeship Careers Australia was one of the Group Training Organisations (GTOs) being funded through the GTO Pre-Apprenticeship Program and would work with the National Association of Women In Construction (NAWIC) to help 24 women from Brisbane and the Gold Coast and Brisbane towards rewarding trades careers.

“It’s great to see more women taking up trades, putting their hands up and being supported by industry groups and employers so they get that opportunity to get an apprenticeship and start their trade careers,” Minister Scanlon said.

“Apprenticeship Careers Australia are working with NAWIC to support 24 women who are interested in the construction industry to provide them with a range of support and connections that will give participants the confidence and motivation to take on and complete an apprenticeship.”

Apprenticeship Careers Australia Branch Manager Kylie Drum said participants would learn the basics of the construction industry along with a variety of practical tasks along with the Certificate I in Construction.

“By working with NAWIC we can organise trades women to come and talk to the participants and they can join the free Women on Tools breakfasts and other mentoring and networking opportunities,” Ms Drum said.

“The project will link them to potential employers and offer diversity and inclusion training or toolbox to supervisors or host employers. We will be placing the participants into work experience with employers who have real intentions of placing them into apprenticeships.”

Minister Farmer said the six other funded GTOs will support participants across South East Queensland, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Bundaberg.

“This is one part of the Palaszczuk Government’s two-year, $25 million Pre-apprenticeship Support program, which is also increasing support for existing programs that support people looking to start a trade career or want to advance in their current trade,” Minister Farmer said.

“Registered Trade Skills Pathways and Trade Skills Assessment and Gap Training provide complementary pathways for people who have experience in an industry to earn a recognised qualification that will help them take the next steps on their career paths,” Minister Farmer said.

“For young people just starting out, SchoolTech is a successful school-based vocational education and training program led by TAFE Queensland and Woree State High School in Cairns.

“The Palaszczuk Government is also expanding assistance through Queensland’s Out of Trade Register, which the Apprentice Employment Network administers.”

Minister Farmer said Queensland needs to attract, train and retain more skilled workers so industries that are growing now, and in the future, can call on a job ready workforce and increase our economic productivity.

The Pre-Apprenticeship Support Program is funded through the $200 million Future Skills Fund. For further information visit www.desbt.qld.gov.au/training/future-skills-fund or call 1300 369 935.

ENDS

Media contact: Kate Talbot, 0439 803 211