The Queensland Government is freshening the Manufacturing Skills Queensland to support the state’s manufacturing workforce and take action to tackle Labor’s skills shortage.
Manufacturing Skills Queensland, an independent body supported by the state government, is focused on building a sustainably skilled workforce for a future-proofed manufacturing industry.
The skills and training organisation will be overseen by a renewed board, led by April Canagh — an experienced non-executive director and current Chairman of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise.
Supporting Cavanagh will be directors Michael Ross Bonanno, Jake Gurdy, Fiona McDonnell and Natalie Rogers, as well as two government representatives.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Training and Employment Ros Bates says the refreshened board presents new opportunities for the industry.
“We are fixing Labor’s widespread failures and a key component of that is putting the right people in the right positions,” Bates says.
As previously reported, the Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA) revealed there are growing concerns over Queensland’s ability to meet the workforce of new mining and energy projects.
In Queensland, the resources and energy industry directly employs 77,900 people.
With more than 100 major projects expected to come online by 2029, the Australian resources and energy sector will need to directly employ an additional 26,810 employees — representing a 9.4% increase to the current workforce.
For reference, TAFE reports the demand for process plant operators in Australia remains steady with up to 10,000 job openings expected over the next five years.
Due to the skills shortage faced in Queensland, Migration Queensland is selecting candidates with occupations on the Home Affairs list of eligible candidates with a focus on helping address verified shortages in the state’s growing industries.
These industries include the energy, construction and infrastructure, healthcare and social assistance, education, professional services, agribusiness, tourism and hospitality, and transport sectors.
Migration Queensland is also selecting candidates outside of Australia in occupations on the offshore Queensland Skilled Occupation List. The list supports workforce needs including the transition to net zero and climate change adaptation.
Meanwhile, Manufacturing Skills Queensland’s board changes follow the state government’s decision to establish a new TAFE Centre of Excellent for Advanced Manufacturing in Moreton Bay.
The TAFE Centre will train the manufacturing, construction and trades workers needed in this growing industry.
This commitment is part of the government’s $20.1 million plan for four new TAFE Centre of Excellent sites across Queensland — which aims to help secure a pipeline of skilled workers.
TAFE Queensland offers a variety of resources and mining courses to ensure students are graduate-skilled and job-ready prepared to join the resources industry.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Queensland Resources Council
