Queensland plans new VET strategy

Queensland has launched efforts to develop a new vocational education and training (EVET) plan for the state with the release of a discussion paper asking Queenslanders to have their say.

The aim of consultations is to ensure its skills and training investment – more than $1.2 billion in 2022-23 – is delivering priority skills for the jobs in demand, according to a statement.

Small businesses, employers, industry groups, training providers, jobseekers, students, apprentices and trainees are invited to have their say to ensure government investment is delivering the best outcomes for Queenslanders, employers and communities.

The Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Dianne Farmer said that when the government announced its Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032, it would be developing a new Queensland Vocational Education and Training Strategy

Farmer said: “We are delivering on that pledge.

“We are in the midst of surging workforce growth, so given the rapidly changing landscape, including demand for different higher level skills and national skills reforms, a new Queensland VET Strategy is required.

“I want to make sure to meet the demand for skilled workers now and into the future, our VET sector is focussed on providing priority skills in traditional and emerging industries and supporting all Queenslanders into good jobs.”

Current modelling predicts Queensland will need an additional 280,000 workers by 2024-25 and of these workers, more than a third (38 percent) will require a vocational education and training (VET) qualification.

Guiding the consultation process and development of a new strategy, is a Queensland VET Strategy Reference Group made up of industry, community and skills sector stakeholders.

Farmer said the review was aimed at ensuring the financial modelling is right and the state was investing in the right training to support the changing workforce and was making sure students across the state can access the training they need.

“In 2021 there were almost one million VET students in Queensland with more than 200,000 accessing training funded by the Palaszczuk Government.

“We want to hear from Queenslanders – schools, their students, business and job sectors, mums and dads – to ensure we are investing in the right training to support our changing workforce and are making sure students across the state can access the training they need.”

Picture: National Centre for Vocational Education Research