THE RIGHT PLAN FOR QUEENSLAND’S FUTURE
The LNP will fund a major expansion of a successful pathways program for resources and STEM, to secure valuable skilled workers for regional Queensland.
The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy, already operating at 100 schools, will expand to a further 50 schools under the LNP’s pledge, providing better pathways into tertiary education and vocational training for young Queenslanders.
The commitment is part of the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future and will deliver a $2 million boost to the Academy, as well as a $500,000 injection to boost the number of women in operating and technical roles.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy played a critical role in developing a secure pipeline of skilled workers for the resources sector, which employs more than 50,000 Queenslanders.
“The LNP is committed to securing and skilling the workforce of the future, with the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy, to protect jobs in our regional economic centres like Mackay and across the State,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“This program opens the eyes of young Queenslanders to the opportunities in science, technology, engineering and maths – right here on our own soil.
“Not only does it provide a clear pathway into STEM and resources employment, it also provides the training needed to put more tradies into work sooner.
“The investment and hubs will support local educators to be embedded in the community, instead of relying on the fly in, fly out model.
“That means local educators, teaching local students to protect and create local jobs in their local communities.
“The LNP’s commitment will reduce reliance on hiring from overseas or interstate, instead we’ll develop our own home-grown talent.
“More than one in five Queenslanders who participate in the Academy go on to study engineering or in technology-related fields, with many others opting to progress into vocational training.
“We will help empower the next generation of workers and bolster the critical minerals industry with the employees to shoulder the growing mountain of opportunity in our State.”
Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy was part of the Right Plan for regional Queensland’s Future.
“Queensland businesses are hungry for more skilled workers and locking-in a reliable pipeline of minerals and energy workers secures economic prosperity for regional Queensland,” Mr Last said.
“More than 15,000 Queensland businesses rely on skilled young Queensland workers and the Academy will be just one of the opportunities to help secure this pipeline.
“This is key to helping regional Queensland realise its full economic potential in the decade ahead.
“The mining and energy sector will continue to be pivotal to Queensland’s prosperity and success, this will help ensure we have the jobs to match the opportunities.
“The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy will provide a pathway for traditional sectors including coal and gas, as well as the emerging critical minerals and energy jobs of the future.
“While Labor has failed to understand the importance of growing a skilled workforce for our future, the LNP will invest to grow regional Queensland’s opportunities.
“Only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future, including working harder for Queenslanders.”
