Category: Queensland Apprenticeship

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The Palaszczuk Government is providing personalised text alerts and tutorial videos to make it easier for small businesses to employ apprentices and trainees.

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said easy-to-follow resources have been developed to make the apprenticeship and traineeship process as simple as possible.

“Each year small businesses and other operations across the state work through the steps to recruit and train the next generation of skilled workers,” Minister Farmer said.

“We need to ensure these training pathways continue to develop the skilled workforce the state needs, which is why we made investing in skills a key focus in our COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan and it’s why we are spending more than $1 billion on training and skills.

“However, we know it can be tricky for small businesses with no HR departments to be across the timelines and requirements, so we’ve responded after listening to business owners who are juggling the obligations of their training contracts.”

Minister Farmer said new tools have been introduced to help.

“The Palaszczuk Government has launched a personalised and timely SMS system to keep employers updated on their obligations and training milestones,” Minister Farmer said.

“We have updated information and created short videos on the Business Queensland website to cover the benefits and issues employers can face so the system works better for them.

“I hope these measures will support more businesses to sign up more apprentices and trainees who will go on to complete their qualifications and become the skilled workers their employers and this state need in the future.”

One business benefitting from the new resources is Kent Saddlery in Stanthorpe, which employs apprentices to ensure skilled workers are coming into the family business as well as learning the craft of leather production.

“It’s a great one stop website, for just about any piece of information you’ll need to confidently employ an apprentice or trainee in Queensland,” Kent Saddlery’s Josh Furness said.

“With many helpful hints, facts, resources and links to useful information, I’ll be referring to this website for answers to all things training.”

The Palaszczuk Government also provides a range of support and funding including free apprenticeships for under 25s, travel and accommodation subsidies, insurance discounts and payroll tax exemptions.

“We have seen the number of apprentice and trainee commencements increasing despite the challenges business have faced, which has in turn raised the number of apprentices and trainees in training to its highest number in years,” Minister Farmer said.

“In fact, in the year to May 2021 there were over 40,000 apprenticeship and traineeship commencements, which is an astonishing 47.7% jump compared to the previous year.

“Supporting their employers will help to improve the retention and completion rate so that Queensland can call on more skilled workers.

“Ensuring our skilled workforce meets returning and new demand, without skills shortages limiting opportunities, is vital.”

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Queensland Apprentice Numbers Reach New Heights

The Palaszczuk Government’s investment and skills and training is paying off, with a new report showing more than 16,000 Queenslanders started an apprentice or traineeship in the December 2020 quarter – up 11 per cent from 2019.

The latest figures from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), also show that more than 10% of workers employed within trade occupations in Queensland were an apprentice or trainee.

Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said the Palaszczuk Government had put investing in skills at the heart of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“Clearly our support for employers, and record investment in apprenticeships and traineeships, is paying dividends,” Minister Farmer said.

“We know that there are lots of industries with skills shortages that need more people with the right qualifications to fill the vacant roles they have.

“That’s why, among other things, we are funding the training costs for a range of in-demand qualifications for people under 25 through our free apprenticeships program.

“With 139 priority apprenticeships and traineeships covered through the program, we are supporting businesses in a range of industries to develop the skilled workforce they need, and people are clearly taking advantage of these opportunities.

“The Palaszczuk Government has also worked to support employers of apprentices and trainees impacted by COVID-19 to keep their staff on or put their training contracts on hold so employees could resume their training when conditions improved.”

The NCVER’s Apprentices and Trainees 2020 – December quarter release for Queensland shows 63,625 apprentices and trainees were in training as at 31 December, up 12 per cent compared to 2019.

“Getting these new and continuing apprentices and trainees to complete their training contracts and become qualified, job ready workers is so important for the future prosperity of Queensland,” Minister Farmer said.

“To support them, our $100 million Equipping TAFE for our Future program has kicked off this year with around $40 million being invested in our TAFE Queensland campuses so they can deliver world class training from fit for purpose facilities.

“In addition, the recent Budget’s investment in major infrastructure projects will support apprentices and trainees up and down the state.

“We also have the 50 per cent payroll tax rebate for apprentice and trainee wages.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s strong commitment to investing in skills will ensure we have the workforce we need for our economy to thrive.”

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5th May, 2021

The Palaszczuk Government is helping to get 400 more council apprentices and trainees across Queensland their first start in a job, thanks to a $6 million investment through Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW).

Visiting Winton Shire Council, Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said SQW’s First Start program was part of an ongoing commitment to support training pathways and employment opportunities in local communities.

“This next phase supports 60 local councils and a statutory authority to employ the extra apprentices and trainees,” Ms Farmer said.

“Given the hit that COVID-19 has had on our economy, these 400 positions are even more valuable to their communities this year.

“More than half of this year’s positions are with councils outside of south-east Queensland, including 10 Aboriginal councils and two more in the Torres Strait.

“The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) manages the process with councils to ensure funding from First Start goes to areas where it will have the biggest impact.

“Local councils deliver a range of vital services that rely on skilled workers and through First Start we have been supporting them to recruit trainees and apprentices since 2016.

The Minister said that, to date, the program has seen more than 1600 people get a start with these important local employers.

Minister Farmer met with Winton Shire Council’s current First Start trainees and two former First Start trainees who have secured permanent jobs with the council’s child care centre.

“Since 2015-16 the State Government has invested $165,000 in the First Start program with Winton Shire Council,” Ms Farmer said.

Mayor of Winton Shire Council Gavin Baskett said that the investment goes a long way in supporting the Winton community.

“This funding has helped the Council put on 10 apprentices and trainees over the last 6 years,” Mr Baskett said.

“First Start supports people to get into council offices, libraries, workshops, parks and other sites to start learning, working and delivering services in their communities.

“The funding covers a range of traineeships or the first year for apprenticeships in needed trades.

“Each council handles the recruitment for their positions and chooses the qualifications they need to add to their workforce. Many First Start trainees will already be on the job or starting soon, which will be a promising step for them, their families and new colleagues.”

LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam said the First Start program had made an immense difference to Queensland communities with councils able to offer training across more than 240 occupational areas.

“Not only does the First Start program provide trainees and apprentices with invaluable skills but it also allows young people to continue to live and work in their local communities by providing them with opportunities they would otherwise have to travel to find,” Mr Hallam said.

“This then allows councils to more easily draw from the local workforce for work that would otherwise be contracted out, providing an ongoing economic boost to their regions.

“Experience has shown the majority of these apprentices and trainees have gone on to obtain permanent employment either prior to or at the end of their traineeship with the remaining few generally pursuing further training or higher education.”

Up to 31 March 2021, 35,883 people have found jobs thanks to participating in a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project or traineeship.

For further information visit www.desbt.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 935.

ENDS

Media contact: Richard O’Leary 0447 155 332
Local Government Association of Queensland media contact: 3000 2286 or Sarah_Vogler@lgaq.asn.au