Recently announced in the 2023-24 Queensland State Budget, an investment of almost $1.35 billion in skills, training, employment and small business support in Queensland has been allocated. The funding will help deliver quality training and exciting career pathways to meet Queensland’s increasing workforce demands now and into the future.
The Palaszczuk Government will continue to fund a broad range of highly successful grant programs and initiatives in 2023-34 that support small businesses as well as skills, training and employment pathways for Queenslanders.
In addition, the 2023-24 State Budget also includes the following highlight:
- A total of $86 million is being invested to revitalise and upgrade training infrastructure to deliver key projects such as:
– the Eagle Farm Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre.
– the expansion of Great Barrier Reef International Marine College in Cairns to deliver world-class maritime training.
– the Bohle Renewable Energy Centre at the TAFE Queensland Trade Training Centre (Bohle) in Townsville. - $29.8 million over three years to replace the vocational education and training (VET) information and communication technology systems, this includes $8.8 million in 2023-24.
- $4.6 million over two years for the Women in Trade Apprenticeships Mentoring Program to support women in trades and increase retention and completion rates.
- $5 million over two years for cyber security support initiatives for small to medium enterprises, with funding held centrally.
- Support for the establishment of Queensland Indigenous Business Network to provide support and advocacy for the growth of First Nations businesses.
- Up to $1 million committed to assist with the development of the Cairns Indigenous Training Centre to provide First Nations people in the Far North with a tailored trade training facility.
Paul Miles, Managing Director for The BUSY Group welcomed the announcement and stated, “As one of the longest-serving and largest Apprenticeship Support Network providers in Queensland, as well as delivering a range of employment programs, education and vocational skills training, The BUSY Group welcome the continued investment in skills development and support for Queensland. We will continue to work closely with State government, industry bodies and employers to support a strong Queensland workforce.”
For more information on The BUSY Group visit www.busyatwork.com.au or call 13 28 79.
For more information on the 2023-24 State Budget go to www.budget.qld.gov.au
Learn more about the Good People. Good Jobs. Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032
