New national training data released this week* has revealed Queensland apprentices and trainees are turning away from Labor’s training policy in droves.
Queensland recorded the largest fall out of all east coast states with students in training decreasing by 0.6% year on year.
LNP Shadow Minister for Training and Skills Development Fiona Simpson hit out at the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s continued failure in skilling Queenslanders for jobs.
“We desperately need more Queenslanders training for jobs,” Ms Simpson said.
“Queensland’s youth unemployment rate is 12.8%** and there are now over 8,000 fewer students in-training than under the previous LNP Government.
“Victoria, New South Wales and even Tasmania have all increased their number of students in-training.
“While NSW is celebrating record low unemployment, Queensland's unemployment is out of control and the situation is going from bad to worse.”
Ms Simpson said Annastacia Palaszczuk was out of touch with the needs of young people who are trying to make a start in their careers.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk recently refused $245 million in desperately-needed vocational training funding from the Federal Government under a new national partnership,” Ms Simpson said.
“That $245 million of vocational training funds could have been used to help young Queenslanders make a start in their careers.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk also axed the Back to Work Program in a number of areas across southeast Queensland.”
*https://www.ncver.edu.au/research-and-statistics/publications/all-publications/apprentices-and-trainees-2018-september-quarter-australia/apprentices-and-trainees-2018-september-quarter-queensland
