I recently attended the Vision Australian Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program Graduation. This program assists people return to work after long term unemployment. It is an incredibly effective program. People with low of no vision have unemployment rates of over 65%. This program run annually assists most participants to find jobs or traineeships. 

If you told me when I was elected that one of the biggest challenges we'd be facing in 2022 would be not having enough workers to fill job I would not have believed you.

But here we are.

Unemployment has been an issue for my entire working life. In 2015 we had very high unemployment rates, particularly among young people. 

The Palaszczuk has created jobs by:

• Building infrastructure like schools, sporting facilities, public housing and public transport
• Establishing the Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program
• Offering Free TAFE
• Developing new industries like Clean Energy, Hydrogen, Advance Manufacturing and Film & Television
• Backing Small Business

By keeping job creation as our number 1 priority we have driven unemployment to 3.8%. 

I recently visited business around the Coorparoo light industrial area for Small Business Month. It didn't matter whether I was talking to a mechanic, a coffee shop, a retailer, a gym or any other business, all were struggling to find workers. 

Recognising this issue earlier in the year, the Premier and Skills Minster Di Farmer held a Skills Summit. As a result of this our Government has launched the Good Jobs, Good People, Queensland Workforce Strategy. 

The Strategy Delivers:

• Workforce Connect Fund to increase investment in industry and community led projects that address workforce shortages
• A network of Industry-based Workforce Advisors to work directly with employers to help them to address workforce challenges and diversify their workforces
• Partnerships with regions to develop workforce plans and initiatives to support ‘grow your own workforces and cross-sector skills development
• Expansion of the Gateway to Industry Schools Program to include the hydrogen industry and ensure accessibility for individuals and groups that may be underrepresented
• Establishing Regional School Industry Partnership managers in education regions to strengthen school industry partnerships and support school-to-work transitions
• Partnerships with rural and remote communities to deliver local skills and job creation initiatives to increase workforce capacity in these locations
• Initiatives focused on supporting apprentices and trainees to complete their training
• A partnership with the health and community services sectors to create and implement sector-led workforce development, attraction and retention strategies
• Expansion of the Group Training Organisation Pre-Apprenticeships Program to encourage more individuals to complete an apprenticeship and to provide employers with greater access to skilled workers
• Extension of the Micro-Credentialing Pilot Program to provide increased access to industry-supported short courses

The Palaszczuk Government tackled unemployment when we were elected and now we'll take real action on the developing a skilled workforce. 

Learn more about Good Jobs, Good People Workforce Strategy.