The Australian | 6 July 2015
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Skills training will receive a $750 million boost in next week’s Queensland budget in an effort to improve employment prospects, with an emphasis on rebuilding the TAFE network .
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The Palaszczuk government is looking to use its first budget to begin reversing the Newman government’s plans to downsize Queensland TAFE colleges.
It claims the funds could help more than 37,000 Queenslanders find a job.
Queensland Treasurer and Employment Minister Curtis Pitt said yesterday that the government aimed to provide school leavers and mature-aged students with the skills needed to fill jobs emerging in their region.
With a strong regional focus, Mr Pitt said it is “crucial that the skills of people right across Queensland mesh with employers’ needs”.
The funding package includes $243m for apprenticeships and traineeships, $60m for boosting training in the high-demand sectors of transport, construction and aged care, and $160m to rebuild the TAFE network.
The Palaszczuk government hands down its first budget on Tuesday 14 July.