Published Monday, 05 August, 2019 at 10:32 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Trade

The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development

The Honourable Shannon Fentiman

The Palaszczuk Government is backing small businesses and young job seekers even further offering free apprenticeships to anyone under 21.

The $32 million investment will take away the cost of training from employers and helps an estimated 60,000 young people into a trade.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it adds to payroll tax concessions already announced helping small businesses even more.

“This government is about jobs,” the Premier said.

“Jobs in our regions, jobs in our cities, jobs in existing industries and jobs in the industries of the future.

“No government has helped to create more jobs than this government and we need to keep up the good work.”

The fully subsidised training will be offered in 139 apprentice and traineeships in industries showing a high demand for workers including:

Electrical

Plumbing

Engineering

Healthcare

Hospitality

Early childhood

The Premier unveiled the free apprenticeships initiative at today’s launch of the new Skills for Queensland plan, Great Training for Quality Jobs.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said the Skills for Queensland plan includes programs and initiatives that will target critical skills needs that address current skills shortages, the new skills needed for existing jobs, emerging opportunities brought about by technology advances, and regional and state-wide priorities.

“We need to plan for the future of Queensland and ensure we have the skilled workers we need now and for the emerging industries,” Ms Fentiman said.

“This investment in free apprenticeships will support local businesses to be able to take on more apprentices and trainees – we are backing their business to grow.

“Right now, businesses bear the cost for training an apprentice, we will be removing this expense to support businesses to be able to take on more apprentices and trainees.”

The initiatives include:

A $5.5 million Micro-Credentialing pilot will support employers and their workers to gain the skill sets needed to adapt to workplace changes including new technologies

A next generation Higher Level Apprenticeship pilot that will train apprentices in specialty and emerging technical and trade fields

Review and Expansion of the Gateway to Industry Schools program so that school students can train in emerging and innovative industries

A government-endorsed Skills Assure system for students and employers to have confidence in a quality training experience

A new Link and Launch pilot to target youth hot spots and provide seamless access to government programs like the successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work or Back to Work

A new Ministerial Roundtable to ensure government hears industry input to skills investment priorities first‑hand

New regional jobs committees to bring together local industry groups, training providers, local and major employers, and councils to help plan local training.

The Skills for Queensland plan will also support the ongoing sustainability of the public providers to ensure Queensland’s training system is inclusive and accessible to all with stronger investment in social infrastructure that offers state of the art training facilities.

“This is a plan that will strengthen connections to regional communities and embrace new opportunities and partnerships with industry, employers and small business so more Queenslanders can have access to the skills they need to get a job and build a career,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Small business will have a stronger voice informing government investment in workforce training and skills development.”

For further information visit: www.desbt.qld.gov.au/skillsstrategy

List of free apprenticeships visit: www.desbt.qld.gov.au/freeapprenticeships

ENDS

Media Contact:

Shane Doherty - 0439 624 473