$5.06 million To Advance Queensland manufacturing

Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) has created a first-of-its-kind training plan. The $5.06 million Annual Training Plan outlines 19 programs rolled out from July 1, 2024. It will be delivered across four investment priority areas — attraction and engagement ($1,255,000); impact to trade and industry, transformation, and leadership ($950,000); training and skills ($1,360,000); and diversity in manufacturing ($1,500,000). The initiative was developed in consultation with industry, including more than 300 employers, leaders, professionals, and experts throughout the state. The 2024/2025 Plan aims to support employers with embracing transformation, sustainability practices, and strategic workforce planning to ensure a thriving future for the industry, including for mining plant and equipment Australia.

Queensland Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development, Lance McCallum said this is a great opportunity for Queenslanders. “This new funding is about creating more secure, well-paying jobs and driving our mighty manufacturing industry forward,” he said. “We proudly created MSQ to future-proof the state’s manufacturing industry, and now with a golden decade of opportunity ahead of us, there has never been a more important time to invest in workforce planning and programs. The Miles Labor Government is committed to building a resilient and diverse workforce for our future and this first-of-its-kind investment is crucial for local workers to skill up for good, secure jobs, which will further enhance advanced manufacturing excellence in Queensland.” Queensland Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Glenn Butcher believes the investment will allow the state’s pipe fabrication Australia sector to innovate and grow.

MSQ CEO Rebecca Andrews is proud of the initiative. “The Plan has been a collaborative effort with industry to guide MSQ and Queensland Government investment in training, skills, and workforce planning and we’re grateful for the insights hundreds of steel fabrication leaders and stakeholders have shared with us over the recent Months,” she said. “Our Annual Training Plan highlights 19 important programs across our priority investment areas: attracting and engaging with new cohort; the future of trades, transformation, and leadership; training and skills (which is a 2023 Australian manufacturing trend); and diversity in manufacturing. Together, these programs aim to address some of the key issues industry has shared with us including promotion of manufacturing as an industry; job pathways challenges; current training and accreditation pathways; and suitability of talent. Industry is benefitting from this plan straight away with three new programs ready to start in July 2024, including our Women in Trades Mentoring; the Mental Health and Resilience Training for leaders and employees; and Leadership Excellence.”

Some of the key MSQ’s Annual Training Plan 2024/2025 programs include:

• Women in Trades Mentoring program $1,350,000 — providing intensive support to 100 female apprentices in their first or second year of their manufacturing apprenticeship.
• Higher level learning subsidy $500,000 — investing in higher-level skills of leaders by facilitating access to advanced training, fostering deeper expertise, and paving the way for career progression.
• Manufacturing General Induction programs $130,000 — co-designed with industry to help new starters improve industry knowledge gaps, and safety concerns such as work health and safety, workplace expectations.
• Pathways to a Trade program $250,000 providing a curriculum-based opportunity for year 11 and 12 students to experience the steel fabrication Australia industry.