• New Miles Government plan delivers one million subsidised training places for
Queenslanders to access good high paying jobs.
• Plan extends Free TAFE cost of living measure with 70,000 Free TAFE places.
• Ipswich region predicted to employ more than 157,000 workers by 2025-26–a 5.9% rise from
2021-22.
In the biggest skills and training reform in almost a decade, the Miles Labor Government will fund
one million training places for Queenslanders – easing cost-of-living pressures for those who want to
train, upskill, reskill, and pursue careers in the state’s priority industries.
The Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024 – 2028 will help address local skills
and workforce priorities in the Ipswich region including in the care, nursing, metal working, and
construction sectors with more free and subsidised training for locals.
The strategy extends the Queensland Government’s Free TAFE program, funding up to 70,000 Free
TAFE places – including 30,000 new places – to bring down costs for Queenslanders to get into
better paid jobs or start a career in high-demand industries.
It will also fund one million publicly subsidised training places in health, social services, hospitality,
clean energy, construction and more.
It will build on the success of Labor’s Free TAFE initiative, which has provided free training for more
than 6,800 students from Ipswich since the start of 2023.
Across five focus areas and five years, the strategy sets out to maximise productivity and
participation, unlocking billions in annual skills investment – including a $370 million funding uplift to
help kickstart the new strategy.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Training and Skills Development and Member for
Bundamba Lance McCallum:
"We want Ipswich locals at the front of the line for good local jobs in–this investment will ensure we
make the most of this golden decade of opportunity.
“This strategy is not just real cost of living relief now, but a chance at a better life, with better pay
and a better job, helping grow our economy right across the state.
“Labor’s Free TAFE has changed lives–people who were facing homelessness, mothers returning to
work, and young people who haven’t finished high school–have completed free TAFE courses and
come out with good jobs.
“There’s no clearer difference between Labor and the LNP who will jack up course fees and make
young Queenslanders pay for their apprenticeships–they’ll have to, because they don’t back the coal
royalties that pay for it.”
Quotes attributable to Ipswich raised and trained Engineering – Fabrication Trade apprentice
Mattia Uusimaki:
“I am currently in my fourth year, having returned from maternity leave to complete a Certificate III
in Engineering - Fabrication Trade and I am following in the footsteps of my father and grandfather,
who were fitters and turners, and another grandfather, who was a blacksmith.
“I'm a big advocate for women, especially (women) starting an apprenticeship.
“I’m excited about the prospects of job flexibility and obtaining my certificate will advance my career
while setting an example for other mothers striving to balance work and family life.”
