Queensland has cemented its place as the nation’s top job creator, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Almost 75 per cent of all jobs created in Australian over the 12 months to December 2013 were established in Queensland, Acting Treasurer John McVeigh said in a January 16 media release.
“32,500 jobs were created in Queensland in trend terms over the 12 month period, almost 25,000 of those in the last six months,” he said.
These results are promising for those seeking apprenticeships in Queensland, as job creation may influence increased training opportunities.
Trend employment in Queensland has increased in 14 of the last 15 months, while unemployment fell 0.1 per cent to 5.7 per cent in December.
This is the second lowest unemployment rate in the country, just behind Western Australia.
Further data shows apprenticeships in Toowoomba should be easier to come by as the city’s unemployment rate fell to 1.5 per cent below the national average.
While redundancies remain a possibility in the ‘boom and bust’ mining and resources industry, Abbertons Human Resources business manager Scott Burton told The Chronicle that Toowoomba remains an attractive place for job hunters and employers.
“The leading indicators in the economy are saying it’s going to be a good year,” Mr Burton said in a January 20 article.
“It’s good to see that new talent is coming to the region.”
Overall, employment opportunities in Queensland are looking strong, with current trends expected to remain positive through the next 12 months.
In particular, the construction industry is forecast to expand as major infrastructure projects are approved by local councils and government bodies.
As the construction sector grows, this will also increase the need for additional skilled workers to fill increasing employment gaps.
“Just today we’ve seen the Property Council – ANZ Confidence Survey showing the property and construction industry in Queensland experiencing a surge in confidence and indicating high expectations that it will employ more staff over the coming year,” Mr McVeigh said.
The government is hoping to maximise these opportunities by working to repeal unnecessary and outdated regulations that are slowing down project approvals.
“We’ve helped business to get on with what it does best by cutting red tape, reducing the cost of doing business, maintaining Queensland’s competitive tax status and speeding up approvals processes,” Mr McVeigh said.
By Leanne de Toerkenczy, Public Relations Coordinator
