The rise in trainee and apprenticeship numbers is showing the Palaszczuk Government's record investment of more than $1 billion in training and skills is paying off, with people in Cairns getting the qualifications they need for the jobs of the future.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said 'RE-THINK', the theme of this year's National Skills Week, encouraged Queenslanders to take a good look at the many and varied careers available through vocational training.
"Wherever you are in Queensland, you deserve the opportunity to get world class training to help you get the right job," Minister Farmer said.
"There has never been a more important time to do this, and that's why the Palaszczuk Government put investing in training and skills at the heart of our $14.2 billion COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan."
Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave, Curtis Pitt, said the government was supporting young people in Far North Queensland with free training.
"We have free apprenticeships and free TAFE for under 25s across 165 priority skills areas including construction, health, and disability support services," Mr Pitt said.
"And the figures show that it's paying off: 45,700 apprentices and trainees started in the last financial year, which is a huge 56.6% rise on the year before.
"That includes nearly 1,800 right here in Cairns.
"Queensland is also the national leader in school-based apprenticeships and traineeships with 57% of the national total."
Member for Cairns Michael Healy said having the right facilities was vital to ensure Queenslanders continue to get world-class training.
"That's why we have invested over $220 million into renewing and revitalising TAFEs across Queensland since 2017 with another $100 million to come.
"Investment here in Cairns includes $3.6 million for an Advanced Manufacturing Hub, $2 million for a Cyber Security Training Centre, and over $15 million to upgrade the Cairns TAFE campus.
"This will ensure our apprentices and trainees have world class facilities to train in and get the skills they need to change their lives."
Curtis Pitt, who is also the Far North Queensland Screen Champion, said TAFE Queensland and Huxley School of Makeup graduate - and mother-of-three - Jenna Dunbar is living her dream.
"It's brilliant to see Jenna turning her interest in makeup special effects into a career in film and TV," Mr Pitt said.
"She completed a Certificate III in Beauty Services at TAFE Queensland's Cairns campus as well as the Diploma of Screen and Media - a course TAFE Queensland delivers in partnership with Huxley School of Makeup.
"As the Far North Queensland Screen Champion I know just how important this training is."
Jenna said it was the Lord of the Rings trilogy that sparked her interested.
"Lord of the Rings started it for me when I was in high school and since then I have been fascinated with makeup special effects in movies," Jenna said.
"Life got really busy, but my passion for the beauty industry never changed. One day I just decided to take the plunge and enrol in training so I could develop the skills I needed to work in film."
Since then, Jenna has worked on a range of exciting film projects including movies called 'This Little Love of Mine' and 'Kidnapped' along with season one of TV show 'Dive Club'.
Looking back on her study journey, Jenna said upskilling and pursuing her passion was the right decision.
"If you have a drive for it, my advice is just do it. Don't even wait, just get started now," she said.
Minister Farmer said vocational education and training was vital to Queensland's economy.
"We know that if you get the right training, you're more likely to get the right job," Minister Farmer said.
"I'd encourage every single person reading this to go and look up all the rewarding, lucrative and prestigious career opportunities available through vocational education and training."
National Skills Week, which runs from August 23 to August 29, is an opportunity to raise awareness of the power of vocational education and training and the wide range of qualifications that lead to rewarding careers now and into the near future.
