Cairns workforce funding boost

• Cairns will benefit from 17 state wide projects awarded up to $250,000 each to deliver critical skills development for existing Queensland workers or jobseekers.
• The Palaszczuk Government has awarded more than $3.4 million for the 17 projects through its Micro-credentialing Program..
• Up to 7,525 Queenslanders will be equipped with critical and priority skills through the program.

The Palaszczuk Government’s Micro-credentialing Program upskills Queensland’s existing workers or job seekers by facilitating the provision of training in specific skills.

The Program supports industry development of specialised and targeted training that addresses gaps or emerging skills needs that are not addressed through accredited training.

In 2023, the funding will enable organisations to deliver industry supported short courses across Queensland in industries ranging from meat processing and construction to agriculture and aged care.

The Micro-credentialing Program is a key action of the Palaszczuk Government's Good people. Good Jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy to skill Queenslanders now and into the future.

Quotes attributable to the Member for Cairns Michael Healy:

“The Micro-credentialing Program is delivering important, focused training that gives existing workers or jobseekers important skills development.

“I’m delighted to see Cairns benefit from the funding to CheckUP Australia which will deliver its “Going all OUT for Outreach’ project to up to 250 outreach health professionals throughout the state.

“A wide range of health professionals and assistants will be upskilled, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Workers/Practitioners, allied health assistants, administration staff, medical practice assistants, doctors, nurses, and allied health practitioners.

“CheckUP Australia will deliver face-to-face regional workshops in Cairns as well as online tuition. The flow on from this is important to our community as a whole."

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer:

“The Micro-credentialing is an effective way to address priority skills gaps outside of other education and training models by providing short courses for job seekers and existing workers.

“Our workplaces are changing, influenced by trade, technology, and social forces, and we need to be on the front foot providing the right training so Queenslanders can access jobs and do them well.

“Through collaboration with industry, innovative programs are being developed that will deliver flexible pathways that complement the significant investment in formal training made by the Queensland Government.”

Successful projects include:

• CheckUP Australia will deliver its “Going all OUT for Outreach’ project to up to 250 outreach health professionals throughout the state.
• The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health will provide up to 1,400 participants in the state’s South East with training in Indigenous health.
• The Australasian College of Health Service Management will develop micro-credentials in financial management for up to 500 managers in health, aged and social care services online.
• TAFE Queensland will deliver a micro-credential in spatial measurement for construction, manufacturing and marine at its Coomera campus Marine Centre of Excellence and other sites to up to 100 students.
• In another project, TAFE Queensland will deliver a micro-credential in the use of emerging and innovative technologies in business to up to 100 students at its Mt Gravatt campus and online.
• The Australian Information Industry Association Limited will deliver a micro-credential in AI Adoption in business for up to 650 participants online.

More information can be found online at https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/employers/funding/micro-credentialing

Media contact:  Gary Shipway – 0458 090 906