The Palaszczuk Government is working to ensure the Queensland’s disability services workforce is a step ahead of the roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
In the lead up to the Premier’s Skills Summit next week (Wednesday 28 November) Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman today announced additional measures to prepare Queensland’s future workforce for the NDIS.
"With the roll-out of the NDIS, we know that there will be an increased demand for skilled workers in the health care industry," Ms Fentiman said.
"This is why we have committed to implementing all 11 recommended strategies outlined in the NDIS Workforce through Traineeships report."
"The recommendations of the Jobs Queensland report focus on raising awareness of the existing training pathways and opportunities among employers and potential employees and developing regional and specialised training."
"These recommendations will be implemented as part of the NDIS Training and Skills Support Strategy, a $5 million investment over three years to 2020 to support NDIS training pathways and workforce development.
"We will work with schools and service providers to boost the number of school-based traineeships and encourage Queenslanders from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and mature aged people to take up a traineeship."
Belinda Drew, CEO of Community Services Industry Alliance and spokesperson for WorkAbility Queensland said increasing training pathways is important to support the rollout of the NDIS in Queensland.
"Increasing the training opportunities into NDIS roles is critically important for Queensland to meet the significant jobs growth expected," Ms Drew said.
"NDIS providers across Queensland have a longstanding commitment to training their people so they have the specialist skills and expertise to work in these positions.
"This report makes it clear there are opportunities across the sector to expand the training pathways available into areas like traineeships to grow the workforce and get the right people into NDIS roles."
The Minister said induction training will be extended for new workers and industry will provide more feedback to government about the additional training pathways needed by existing workers.
The Minister said as of June 30 this year there were almost 17,000 Queenslanders participating in the National Disability Insurance Scheme with more than 90,000 participants expected by 2019.
"During this time we are ensuring our workplace planning is on target," Minister Fentiman said.
Training pathways will be promoted to industry through Workability Jobs Roadshows, regional activities and the NTSSS.
