Support for every step of jobs journey in Cairns

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development The Honourable Di Farmer

From school opportunities to vocational training to getting a job, the Palaszczuk Government is with the Cairns region every step of the way.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said a $25 million Pre-Apprenticeship Support program, $15 million of investment at Cairns TAFE, and a brand-new Cairns Regional Jobs Committee would help people at every stage of the jobs journey.

“The Palaszczuk Government is focused on growing the economy and creating jobs, here in Cairns and across the state.

“Our investment in skills and training goes hand in hand with our delivery of big projects and new industries in Queensland. It’s all part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.”

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the getting access to the right training was key to getting the right job.

“We know that getting the right training and opportunities hugely increases your chances of getting a good job, and that starts early,” Minister Farmer said.

“So I am delighted to share the news that we will spend $25 million on Pre-Apprentice Support over the next two years, as part of our Future Skills Fund.

“It will help create more than 300 pre-apprenticeship training places with Group Training Organisations (GTOs) across the state and extend highly successful programs like SchoolTech here in Cairns.

“The home of SchoolTech is the TAFE Queensland’s Cairns campus, and it was a pleasure to officially open its new $15 million upgrades today.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the $15 million upgrades – with more to come – would provide excellent opportunities for budding students in Cairns.

“We want people to be interested and excited about the opportunities in traineeships and apprenticeships, and it’s vital that they know they’ll have world class facilities to learn in,” Mr Healey said.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government is investing in TAFEs across Queensland, including the new electrical, air-conditioning and refrigeration training facilities at the Cairns campus.

“The new facilities are part of the recently completed $15 million redevelopment of the region’s key public training campus, but there’s more to come.

“A further $5.6 million investment will deliver a new Advanced Manufacturing Hub and a new Cyber Security Training Operation Centre at the Cairns campus during the next three years.”

Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave, Curtis Pitt, said once people had completed their qualifications a new committee would help them get jobs locally.

“Of course, once people are trained and qualified in the right industries, we want to make sure they have access to great jobs — especially in their local area.

“The very best people to work out what training and jobs are needed in a particular region are the people who live there.

“That’s why we developed Regional Jobs Committees: so those with the local expertise can engage with the government to make plans that work for where they are.

“The new Cairns Regional Jobs Committee will help the region find local solutions and opportunities, especially with the closure of international borders and the end of JobKeeper affecting this part of Queensland in particular.”

The Cairns Regional Jobs Committee brings the number statewide to nine, with the six committees established in 2019 in Townsville, Mackay, Fraser Coast, Springfield, Redlands and Toowoomba and two new committees for Bundaberg and the Gold Coast.

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