Next week’s State Budget will include more than $750 million for vocational education and training, an increase of $139 million on last year’s allocation.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt and Training and Skills Minister Yvette D’Ath made the announcement on Monday.
The 2015-16 funding package will deliver a 22 per cent boost to the budget for training and skills, and will target everything from giving school-leavers basic literacy and numeric skills to helping mature workers retrain.
“We are a government with a strong regional and rural focus,” Mr Pitt said.
“It’s crucial that the skills of people right across Queensland mesh with what employers need. That’s why we’re working closely with local communities to provide the skills they need.”
Key elements of this year’s VET package are:
- $243 million for apprenticeships and traineeships under User Choice, a program that supports up to 70,000 apprentices and trainees across the state.
- $231.6 million for the Certificate 3 Guarantee, which improves Queenslanders’ job prospects with their first post-school certificate qualification. That can include training while still at school and basic literacy and numeric skills.
- $60 million for the Higher Level Skills program for more advanced training in priority areas, including construction, business, hospitality, retail, aged care, security and transport and distribution.
- $60 million for the reinstated Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, a four-year $240 million initiative that gives traditionally disadvantaged groups the skills to enter the workforce.
- $160 million to support the rebuilding of Queensland’s TAFE system
Ms D’Ath said it was crucial young Queenslanders be given every opportunity to enter the workforce and establish lasting careers.
“This training is the first step on the career path for thousands of young people. And it will give disadvantaged Queenslanders, particularly outside the big cities, the skills boost to get back on track,” she said.
“Jobs are our number one priority and Skilling Queenslanders for Work will help up to 8000 Queenslanders find work in its first year.”
