Employment growth in Queensland was among the strongest across the nation in February, suggesting an increasing number of news jobs are becoming available in the state.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data showed Queensland’s trend employment edged forward 0.2 per cent last month, which was the country’s highest growth in relative terms. Year on year, the state saw the number of people with jobs jump 2.8 per cent, second only to NSW with 4.2 per cent.
Similarly, Queensland outpaced the nation in terms of unemployment reductions. The state experienced a 0.8 per cent drop in unemployment between January and February, with NSW and Victoria both recording drops of 0.2 per cent.
Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the latest jobless figures showed the Palaszczuk government’s focus on employment was having a significant impact. The trend unemployment figure is now 5.9 per cent in the state, down from 6.1 per cent in January.
He said 70,100 more people now have jobs in Queensland than in February 2015, with an additional 4,100 full-time positions created last month. Mr Pitt said generating new opportunities for Queenslanders was the government’s leading agenda.
Creating jobs in Queensland
The treasurer outlined various schemes currently underway or about to proceed in Queensland that will increase employment in the state. For example, the government’s Market-Led Proposals initiative now has three projects in the pipeline that will generate 1,600 jobs.
“We have three job-creating Market-Led Proposals now moved from initial assessment to the detailed assessment stage – the Logan Motorway Enhancement project, the Brisbane International Cruise Ship Terminal; and the Queensland Aquarium and Maritime Museum project proposed for South Bank,” he stated.
“In addition, we have launched a four-year State Infrastructure Plan … to give business the ability to plan for their possible involvement in government projects.”
Mr Pitt said the $35 billion committed to infrastructure in the 2015 Budget has been supplemented with a further $500 million to ensure crucial ventures can proceed as quickly as possible.
In 2016, $10.1 billion will be spent on infrastructure, with projects expected to support 27,000 jobs. Furthermore, the state government’s $440 million Accelerated Works Program is due to create 950 vacancies across the state.
These initiatives could also provide a substantial boost for apprenticeships in Queensland, particularly for people studying trades-related professions such as bricklaying and carpentry.
By Leanne Macnamara, Public Relations Coordinator
