BRISBANE, Queensland, Aug. 28 -- The Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet issued text of the following statement:

JOINT STATEMENT

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training

The Honourable Ros Bates

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development

The Honourable Dale Last

* Queensland Resources Workforce Plan delivers a roadmap for one of the State's key industries to support the growth of its 81,000 strong workforce. * Actions are already underway to attract the next generation of resources workers and boost female participation in the industry. * TheCrisafulli Government is delivering more jobs and better services through a stronger economy and bolstering the resources workforce to overcome the skills shortages created during Labor's decade of decline.

The Crisafulli Government is delivering a roadmap to build a skilled, adaptable and resilient workforce for Queensland's resources industry to capitalise on opportunities being unlocked across the State.

Labor's decade of decline failed to develop a pipeline of workers for critical sectors like mining and created a dire skills shortage across Queensland, and its anti-mining policies stalled economic growth and stifled regional communities.

The Crisafulli Government is delivering more jobs and better services through a stronger economy, and positioning the State to meet global demand for critical minerals and building the workforce needed to deliver the opportunities Labor let go to waste.

The Queensland Resources Workforce Plan focuses on delivering practical, results-driven solutions through 29 targeted actions that align skills and training with current and emerging industry needs.

Some of those actions are already being implemented, with the expansion of the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy aimed at attracting the next generation of resources workers, and a pilot program being run to boost female participation.

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the Crisafulli Government was backing the plan with $159 million in this year's Budget for subsidised vocational qualifications used across the resources sector.

"This sector is one of the pillars of Queensland's economy and as the Crisafulli Government continues to unlock resources opportunities we're also delivering the workforce needed to make the most of them," Minister Bates said.

"Our workforce plan is centred on building a pipeline of future workers, boosting the number of women and other under-represented groups in the industry and delivering proper skills and training to support the businesses that support Queensland.

"It's a stark contrast to Labor's decade of decline which created a dire skills shortage across Queensland, failed to capitalise on the opportunities right under our feet and neglected our regional communities."

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional and Rural Development Dale Last said a strong regional workforce was critical to leveraging the State's strengths in mining and manufacturing.

"The Queensland Resources Workforce Plan will help us shore up Queensland's mining workforce for generations to come," Minister Last said.

"The Plan responds directly to the needs of the resources industry and supports the Crisafulli Government's Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy 2025-2030 which recognises that a strong workforce is critical to our success.

"By investing in people, Queensland's resources sector will continue to power our economy and ensure we have the workforce required to meet the needs of our traditional industries like gas and coal, as well as our emerging critical minerals sector."

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Officer Janette Hewson said the plan sent a strong signal that workforce development is fundamental to Queensland's economic future.

"QRC welcomes the release of the Resources Workforce Plan and appreciates the opportunity to contribute to its development through early consultation," Ms Hewson said.

 "It is pleasing to see the Plan's recognition of the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy as a QRC led flagship education and industry engagement program.

"Continued investment in proven initiatives such as QMEA, alongside targeted programs such as WIRED, will be critical to attracting more young people, supporting regional participation, retaining skilled workers and expanding career opportunities for women and other under-represented groups.

"The priorities identified closely align with QRC's Workforce Attraction and Retention Strategy, particularly building the talent pipeline and increasing participation of women and other under-represented groups."

For more information and to read the Queensland Resources Workforce Plan, please visit: dtet.qld.gov.au/resources-workforce-plan

ENDS

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Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.