Queensland job seekers are set to benefit from the new $200 million JobTrainer Fund to train people for high demand occupations. 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said investing in skills was a key part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery. 

“We were re-elected to deliver that plan and that’s what we’re delivering,” the Premier said. 

“This is all about giving Queenslanders the opportunity to get qualifications which lead to jobs and drives our state’s economic recovery. 

“The fund will support young people launching or developing a career, and job seekers affected by the pandemic who want to pursue new opportunities with better employment prospects. 

“JobTrainer will fund thousands of extra training places and covers a range of short courses, certificate and diploma qualifications. 

“We’re talking about jobs in health, plumbing, manufacturing, electro technology, cyber security and more. 

“It will target specific industries which need more workers now, and into the future.” 

The joint Federal and State Government fund provides free and low-fee training for more than 150 accredited qualifications and short courses over the next year. 

Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said additional priorities would be added throughout the year based on industry advice on employment opportunities, particularly in regional areas. 

“JobTrainer will be in addition to the Palaszczuk Government’s recent expansion of its free apprenticeship and free tafe for Year 12 graduates, to anyone under 25 – which will provide 37,000 young Queenslanders with a training opportunity,” the Minister said. 

“Turbocharged training pathways will bring long term benefits for individuals, families, businesses, communities and our state. 

“Lowering the cost barrier will see more skilled workers, boost businesses, and increase Queensland’s productivity.” 

To qualify for the JobTrainer Fund students must enrol before September 2021 and complete their training by 30 June 2022. 

In addition to the fund, the $2 billion JobTrainer Skills Package also includes the extended and expanded Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy. 

Fee-free training will be offered for a range of training pathways up to certificate III-level, including short courses – and a maximum cap of $400 that has been set for higher level qualifications. 

The first JobTrainer places are now available with TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity. 

Private training providers that have been approved as a Skills Assure Supplier can now apply to offer training places to eligible Queenslanders.  

The biggest areas of demand are expected to be health, aged and disability care, manufacturing, logistics, primary industries and tourism with courses in these fields listed as follows: 

• Health – Certificate II in Health Support Services (Health support short course) 
• Cyber Security (Certificate IV) 

• Aged and disability care – Certificate III in Individual Support (full qualification) 
• Manufacturing – Certificate II in Engineering Pathways (full qualification) 
• Tourism – Certificate II in Hospitality (Food service short course) 

The Minister said the JobTrainer courses currently available for Queenslanders are published at www.desbt.qld.gov.au/JobTrainer 

 For further information visit www.myskills.gov.au/jobtrainer or www.yourcareer.gov.au or call 1300 369 935.