The Palaszczuk Government has welcomed a report by Jobs Queensland detailing key elements and actions to support workforces during industry transition.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said The Supporting workforces during industry transition: Key elements for success report had identified eight critical components.
"The report provides a timely outline of the elements to support workforces during industry transition while also setting out operational mechanisms to support this process," Ms Fentiman said.
"They include issues such as planning, economic diversification, human capital and case management."
Jobs Queensland Chair, Professor Peter Coaldrake said important lessons have been learnt over the last three decades as the Queensland economy has changed in response to productivity reforms and an increasingly dynamic, global economy.
"Industry transitions can result in positive and negative impacts for the economy, industries and communities," Professor Coaldrake said.
"These transitions are never straightforward and appropriate support structures are a key part of any workforce and skills response to provide opportunities for individuals, enterprises and communities."
The report backs up the Queensland Government’s $777.9 million investment in VET programs and initiatives that provide Queenslanders with the training and skills they need to gain employment or progress in their chosen career.
The Regional Skills Adjustment Strategy (RSAS) through TAFE Queensland goes directly to providing training opportunities in specific regions and industry sectors facing economic uncertainty.
"RSAS is targeting mature-age workers who are at risk of being displaced from traditional industries, to gain the skills needed to transition to new employment and the jobs of the future.
"In addition, the Regional Skills Investment Strategy (RSIS) partners with selected regional communities to identify current and emerging jobs to ensure there is a supply of skilled local people to meet this demand."
Ms Fentiman said the government was also establishing a Just Transition Group to ensure the energy transition in Queensland was just and equitable for affected workers and communities.
The work done by Jobs Queensland in preparing this report will inform the work of the Just Transition Group.
"The Just Transition Group will help ensure that affected workers and communities are looked after and that new jobs in the renewable sector are good, decent jobs," Ms Fentiman said.
"A major part of industry transition will be the planning and investment in training and skills."
"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring that we have the training available to Queenslanders to make sure that there are skilled workers to fill the jobs needs of the future."
The full report from Jobs Queensland can be found at https://jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au/projects/supporting-workforces-industry-transition/
