Energy Industry Skills Service launched at Rocklea
Energy Skills Queensland and the Bligh Government have joined forces in an $850,000 partnership to meet the energy sector's training needs and make sure the industry is ready for economic recovery.
Mr Wilson said Energy Skills Solutions, based at Rocklea, is a result of a partnership between Energy Skills Queensland and the Bligh Government's free training and career information service, Skilling Solutions Queensland.
"Energy Skills Solutions will offer a one-stop-shop to meet the training and skilling needs of both employers and employees in the energy industry," Mr Wilson said.
"The Bligh Government has committed $730,000 to the service, with the remaining funds contributed by Energy Skills Queensland.
"This service will advise employee's about how they can receive formal recognition of existing skills, and help employers with issues like attracting workers with the right skills.
"There are a lot of people in our workforce, particularly in older age groups, that have a great deal of practical experience in their industry, but not necessarily the piece of paper that proves they have those skills.
"Through recognition of prior learning, these workers can have their skills and experience formally recognised, and with some extra training they could receive formal qualifications.
"Energy Skills Solutions will also deliver a face-to-face advisory service for both employees and employers about vocational training options."
"The nation's skills shortage is still a fresh memory and Queensland won't be caught flat-footed.
"The Bligh Government is committed to ensuring that three out of four Queenslanders hold trade, training or tertiary qualifications by 2020.
"Energy Skills Solutions has been established in addition to the 16 Skilling Solutions Queensland customer service centres operating across Queensland."
Mr Wilson said the Queensland Government supported skills development in the energy industry and would invest $29.29 million in energy apprenticeships and traineeships and $9.5 million in other vocational education and training in 2009-10.
Energy Skills Solutions would play a vital role in ensuring skills development in the Queensland energy industry kept up with demand for "green' skills and new technologies.
"Increased demand for the design and construction of energy efficient buildings and infrastructure and the growth of 'green collar' jobs means there will be increased demand for services like solar energy installation and other renewable energies," he said.
"Energy Skills Solutions will help employees to obtain the necessary qualifications to meet these changing demands through formal recognition of their existing skills.
"This service will also offer employers a fully integrated skills assessment and workforce development package to resolve many of their skilling and workforce issues as part of a broader Energy Skills Queensland strategy."
Mr Wilson said Skilling Solutions Queensland had provided training and career information to more than 68,000 Queenslanders since its launch in 2005.
More than 12,600 Skilling Solutions Queensland customers have been referred for recognition of prior learning and more than 6,700 have achieved a formal qualification.
Media contact: Jo Crompton or Emma Parnell on 3237 1000