The Queensland Resources Council has welcomed the release of the Queensland government's
Skills for Jobs and Growth green paper, acknowledging its potential to address skill shortages in the state's rapidly expanding resources sector.
"At a time of strong and sustained growth, Queensland's minerals and energy production industries are facing significant shortages of skilled people," CEO Susan Johnston says.
"Since 2002, the sector's average annual employment growth has been in the order of 13% and based on available forecasts, that growth trend could continue until at least 2010.
"Skills shortages – particularly in the engineering trades – will only be overcome through a combination of industry initiatives and focused government effort. The Beattie government is to be commended for its commitment to working with industry to identify our needs, and to address them."
Johnston says the release of the green paper complements the government's support with industry of a Mining Centre of Excellence, to enhance the quality and accessibility of mining industry training; and the creation of the joint government/QRC Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy to promote minerals and energy careers to high-school students from the beginning of the 2006 school year.
Green paper proposals likely to be of particular interest to QRC member companies include:
- modernisation of the apprenticeship system
- promotion of trades careers
- a stronger focus on co-ordination between VET providers and universities to provide for integrated degree/VET programs
- further modernisation of TAFE – including specialist centres of excellence for key industries such as mining
- development, with industry, of skills formation strategies.
The green paper, a supporting research paper and forum details can be accessed
here or by emailing
skillsreform@det.qld.gov.au.
Submissions are requested by August 31.