Jobs strategy a stitch in time

A new 10-year jobs strategy developed to address a severe skills shortage has been welcomed by the mining peak industry body. The government’s Good people Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy focused on providing Queenslanders with training and skills to match the requirements of a modern, technology-driven mining workforce, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) said. The strategy is built on three pillars to connect, educate and attract the state's workforce to ensure the continued success of the economy, while enhancing Queensland's reputation as the best place to live, work and play. Supporting the strategy is the first three-year action plan to strengthen partnerships between industry, community and government to deliver a range of initiatives. Related: Top 10 hottest jobs campaign to lure Gen Z The Queensland Government will also continue to work closely with the Australian Government as it delivers its Jobs and Skills Summit to address national economic challenges. The strategy includes the government’s Queensland Resources Industry Workforce Plan and will provide funding and practical solutions to attract more people to the industry. QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the resources sector was Queensland’s No.1 export industry and supported the jobs of more than 420,000 people. Biggest employer The sector was experiencing a critical shortage in skilled and experienced tradespeople as well as science, technology, engineering and maths professionals, Mr Macfarlane said. “Demand for these skills will only continue to increase as resources operations becomes more digitised, automated and high-tech, which means our industry has a role to play in supporting the education, training and on-the-job learning for people interested in a resources career,” he said. The QRC was proud to be a member of the workforce strategy’s steering group, represented by experienced Skills, Education and Diversity Director Katrina-Lee Jones, Mr Macfarlane said. He also welcomed the government’s allocation of $4.6 million to extend its Gateway to Industry Skills Program - which supports school-to work transition programs such as those run by the QRC’s Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy - and the newly launched Trade to Teach program to encourage tradespeople to consider re-training as Industrial Technology and Design teachers. "We look forward to working with the government to bring on board the expertise we need to support our industry’s transition to a more sustainable and lower-emissions future," he said.

Jobs strategy a stitch in time

Industry Queensland

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