Creating jobs, improving training and assisting small businesses in Queensland through the 2023-24 state budget
Queensland’s economy has been booming over the past few years, and this has been reflected in the state’s latest budget, which was released for the 2023-24 financial year. The budget has allocated almost $1.35 billion towards improving the skills, training and employability of Queenslanders, as well as supporting small businesses in various ways. Additionally, the state is investing in training infrastructure, replacing high-tech systems, and building up the cybersecurity capabilities of small and medium-sized businesses.
This article will discuss these budget allocations in more detail, as well as the Premiers’ and Ministers’ respective viewpoints on the matter, and will also explore how these initiatives are likely to impact Queensland’s job market.
Investments in skills, training, employment and support for small businesses
Approximately $1.35 billion has been allotted to support the training, employment and small business sectors in Queensland. The funds have been earmarked to help deliver quality training, exciting career paths and meet the requirements of Queensland’s increasing workforce demands both now and in the future. This investment is also expected to help expand Queensland’s small business sector, which is a critical contributor to the state’s economy.
The government has committed itself to funding several highly successful grant programs and initiatives that support small businesses, as well as skills, training and employment pathways for Queenslanders in the next financial year. The budget includes the following initiatives:
Revitalization and improvement of training infrastructure – $86 million
The government plans to spend $86 million to revitalize and enhance training infrastructure and to deliver major projects such as robotics and advanced manufacturing centers, world-class maritime training, and renewable energy centers.
Replacing vocational education and training (VET) information and communication technology systems – $29.8 million
The three-year budget allocation will help the state replace outdated information and communication technology systems in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. The best part about this budget allocation is that the work will begin by 2023-24.
Women in Commerce Apprenticeship Program – $4.6 million
The government has provided almost $5 million over two years to help women in the skilled trade apprenticeship program, which will help raise retention rates and completion rates of the program.
Support for cybersecurity for small and medium-sized businesses – $5 million
The government is spending $5 million over two years to support small and medium-sized businesses in cybersecurity. The funding will be used centrally to assist businesses rather than on a program-by-program basis, thereby improving consistency.
Establishment of the Queensland Indigenous Business Network – TBC
The Queensland Government aims to create an Indigenous Business Network that can support the growth of First Nations businesses.
Support for the development of the Cairns Indigenous Training Center – $1 million
The Cairns Indigenous Training Center aims to provide a tailored business training center for first nations people in the Far North. The State Government has pledged $1 million to provide support for the implementation of this project.
Good People. Good works. Queensland Workforce Strategy – 2022-2032
The government has launched the Good People. Good Works. Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032, which aims to provide a skilled workforce to take advantage of our growing economy. The initiative has already begun to implement 23 key initiatives, with many more to follow in coming years.
Tafe Free TAFE
The Tafe Free Tafe initiative was launched by TAFE Queensland and the University of Central Queensland, allowing Queenslanders to pursue their dream career without incurring a financial burden. The program has been financially beneficial for more than 32,000 Queenslanders who have enrolled in 80 different qualifications.
As per the Palaszczuk government, the budget allocation is a reflection of the economy’s strength and will provide significant employment opportunities for Queenslanders, considering that it is estimated that 280,000 jobs will be created in Queensland by 2024-25.
The new budget’s allocation for job creation and training has been welcomed by Queensland’s Treasurer, Cameron Dick, as well as Employment and Small Business Minister, Minister for Training and Skills Development, and Minister for Juvenile Justice, Di Farmer. The increase in small business support and funding for vocational and higher education benefits small businesses who have been working diligently throughout the pandemic to keep Queenslanders employed and the economy moving forward.
Summary
Queensland’s 2023-24 budget has provided $1.35 billion to improve the state’s training and teamwork, as well as to assist small businesses. The initiative includes a range of grants, incentives, and high-tech vocational education programs that will boost the state’s economy by over 280,000 jobs by 2024-25. The initiative has found a positive reception with the government, small businesses, and the general workforce – reflecting the state’s booming economy. The budget consists of various reoccurring investments targeted at long-term results for Queensland. The latest investments are intended to preserve and assist the long-term benefits that small businesses provide to the state. In conclusion, the allocation of funds to support jobs, training and small businesses in Queensland seems to be a wise use of public funds given the state’s economic strength and national leadership in the post-COVID recovery process.
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- In the 2023-24 state budget, almost $1.35 billion was allocated to invest in skills, training, employment and support for small businesses in Queensland.
- The funding will help deliver quality training and exciting career paths to meet Queensland’s growing workforce demands now and in the future.
- The 2023-24 state budget investment also supports Queensland’s small business sector, which is a vital contributor to the state’s economy.
The Palaszczuk Government will continue to fund a wide range of highly successful grant programs and initiatives in 2023-34 that support small businesses, as well as skills, training and employment pathways for Queenslanders.
In addition, the 2023-24 State Budget also includes the following highlights:
- A total of $86 million is being invested to revitalize and improve training infrastructure to deliver key projects such as:
- the Eagle Farm Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Center.
- the expansion of the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College in Cairns to provide world-class maritime training.
- the Bohle Center for Renewable Energy at the TAFE Queensland (Bohle) Business Training Center in Townsville.
- $29.8 million over three years to replace vocational education and training (VET) information and communication technology systems, this includes $8.8 million in 2023-24.
- $4.6 million over two years for the Women in Commerce Apprenticeship Mentor Program to support women in the trades and increase retention and completion rates.
- $5 million over two years for initiatives to support cybersecurity for small and medium-sized businesses, with centralized funding.
- Support for the establishment of the Queensland Indigenous Business Network to support and advocate for the growth of First Nations businesses.
- Up to $1 million committed to help with the development of the Cairns Indigenous Training Center to provide First Nations people in the Far North with a tailored business training center.
Citations attributable to the Premier and Minister of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Annastacia Palaszczuk
“The Queensland economy is going from strength to strength, but that also means we have increased demand for our workforce and this is expected to increase with an additional 280,000 jobs forecast for Queensland by 2024-25.
“To help address demand, the 2023-24 State Budget will allow for the continued delivery of Good People. Good works. Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032.
“The Strategy, which was launched last year, has already delivered or started to deliver 23 key initiatives, and is set to expand significantly over the next financial year.
“The Palaszczuk government is not only focused on the needs of the workforce today and those of the future, but we are also committed to ensuring that there is proper alignment of training with the challenges of the workforce.”
Citations attributable to Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick
“The 2023-24 state budget reflects the strength of our economy, which is great news for Queensland in terms of employment and for our small business sector.
“Big Build’s announcement highlights unmatched job opportunities across the state as we embark on a very exciting future.
“To support this great build, the Palaszczuk government is investing in upskilling our workforce and, most importantly, increasing the ranks of women in the trades.”
Citations attributable to the Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Juvenile Justice Di Farmer:
“More than $1.3 billion of investment in skills, training, employment and support has been allocated to small businesses in Queensland in the 2023-24 state budget.
“The foundation has been laid over the last eight years and we are going to continue to build on that.
“Queensland’s economy is diverse and expanding into new industries, which requires the training system to anticipate and deliver a skilled workforce to ensure continued economic growth.
“So far in the 2022-23 financial year, more than 212,000 students have been supported through government investment in professional training.
“Tafe Free TAFE in 2023, which is delivered by TAFE Queensland and the University of Central Queensland, will continue to be available to Queenslanders looking for a path to their dream career or even a career change.
“To date, 32,000 Queenslanders have been supported on free TAFE courses across more than 80 qualifications.
“In addition to some of the recently funded programs, we will also continue our steadfast support for the lifeblood of our communities and our economy: small businesses. We will provide a number of programs to support them, including the successful Big Plans for Small Business grant programs.
“The 2023-24 state budget will help ensure good people can get good jobs so they can enjoy our great Queensland lifestyle.”
Explanation/fast facts and/or more information:
https://www.miragenews.com/queensland-invests-1-35b-in-skills-training-1025652/
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