Calls for TAFE overhaul
The ‘under-utilised’ TAFE facility at Home Hill desperately needs to be overhauled by the State Government to help improvethe Burdekin’s chronic skills shortage, says local MP Dale Last.
Despite recording its lowest unemployment rate in a decade at three per cent, the Burdekin is grappling with an ongoing skillsshortage crippling businesses in the region.
Burdekin MP Dale Last said the major issue wasn’t that people couldn’t find jobs in town; it was about having access to theproper training and skills development.
He said with the Home Hill TAFE College was largely under-utilised, and there was no excuse for the State Government to notprovide training for local jobs like haul-out drivers at the facility.
“We know that the population growth in the Burdekin is predicted to be less than one per cent over the next two decades, sosending people an hour down the road for training is ludicrous,” Mr Last said.
“If this state government was serious about supporting small businesses and industries in rural and regional Queensland townslike ours, they would be investing in opportunities to provide training and skills development in the towns where they aregoing to work.” “Our agricultural industry was among those to keep the economy afloat during some of the toughest years, and yet when thetime comes to ensure there are enough skilled workers to support the industry during harvesting, the state government is nowhereto be seen.” Training and Skills Development Minister Dianne Farmer said the State Government was committed to supporting training pathwaysand understand it is vital to ensure our businesses have skilled staff no matter where they are in Queensland.
“That’s why the Government has invested $1.2 billion in skills and training in the 2022-23 State Budget – an increase on our$1 billion investment in 2021-22,” she said.
“In 2021-22 in the Burdekin region we have invested $2.14 million in skills programs to support 835 students to undertakeapprenticeships, traineeships and VET qualifications.
Since August 2018, 321 locals have accessed free training arrangements, including free apprenticeships and free TAFE in theburdekin region.
“The Palaszczuk Government has also invested $2.4 million through its Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to assist155 people in the Burdekin LGA.
“The TAFE Queensland Home Hill campus at Burdekin is an important location for TAFE Queensland and a training centre thatoffers technical and trade training.
“In 2021-22 in the Burdekin region (LGA) we have invested $2.14 million in skills programs to support 835 students to undertake apprenticeships, traineeships and VET qualifications. Since August 2018, 321 locals have accessed free training arrangements, including free apprenticeships and free TAFE in theburdekin region (LGA). The Palaszczuk Government has also invested $2.4 million through its Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to assist155 people in the Burdekin LGA.