$12.3M for Skilling Solutions Queensland expansion
Minister for Employment, Training and Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport The Honourable Tom Barton
The Queensland Government has pledged $12.3 million in 2006-07 to expand its innovative training and career information service Skilling Solutions Queensland to another 10 sites, Employment and Training Minister Tom Barton said today.
New centres will be established at Cairns, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Toowoomba, Ipswich, Southport, Capalaba, Indooroopilly, Chermside and Caboolture" he said.
Mr Barton said the success of the pilot study, which began with four Skilling Solutions Queensland customer service centres that opened in March last year, had seen the service expanded.
Skilling Solutions Queensland is our unique, customised, face-to-face training and career information service,†he said.
"It is a key component of the $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which outlines the most significant reforms to Queensland’s skilling and training in more than 40 years."
"Skilling Solutions Queensland helps clients assess the skills they already have to determine what training they might need to meet their career aspirations, as well as providing information about local employment opportunities,†he said.
Mr Barton said the results of the pilot study showed that Skilling Solutions Queensland was a service that was hugely beneficial to Queenslanders and, with a 97 per cent client satisfaction rate, it was clear that its customers agreed.
"In the first 12 months of operation consultants have responded to more than 5100 customer enquiries and assisted almost 4050 people on a face-to-face interview basis" he said.
"During that time over 2150 customers were referred to registered training organisations to commence a Recognition of Prior Learning process.
"A total of 1088 customers have enrolled in a Recognition of Prior Learning process at a number of registered training organisations with 396 having completed their qualifications.â€
Mr Barton said expanding the Skilling Solutions Queensland service to give all Queenslanders an equal opportunity to access these innovative services was a priority.
"They will provide more Queenslanders with access to accurate and relevant information about training or career options that match their interests, skills and experience,†he said.
"Skills shortages pose the biggest threat to Queensland’s continued economic success and Skilling Solutions Queensland is just one way the Queensland Government is set to meet this threat."
Since the pilot services started in Logan, Loganlea, Woodridge and South Brisbane, new centres have been opened in Mackay, Rockhampton and Townsville.
Mobile services operate in Toowoomba, Lutwyche, Gold Coast, Beaudesert, Boonah and Ipswich.
"Whether you are looking to change your career or complete a qualification to enhance your employment prospects, visiting Skilling Solutions is a great way to get individualised information,†Mr Barton said.
"The Queensland Government’s investment in Skilling Solutions Queensland will give people across the state unprecedented access to information on training and career pathways which is a vital step in providing a skilled workforce to maintain Queensland’s growing economy."
For more information about Skilling Solutions Queensland customer service centres call 1300 654 687 or visit www.skillingsolutions.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: David Brewtnall or Michael O’Meara on (07) 3225 2210
7 June 2006