The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) will receive $3 million over three years to implement a new Rural and Remote Capacity Building Project to address workforce challenges such as labour shortages and employee retention in rural and remote locations.
In a media statement, the government said the initiative will provide focused training for staff at 24 councils identified by the LGAQ in order to improve employees’ abilities, address local requirements, and retain personnel in their communities.
Accredited training, tickets, part qualifications, non-accredited training, and micro-credentials will also be available to small enterprises and organisations that provide support to councils.
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said that partnering with rural and remote communities to build workforce capacity in these places is a critical step under the Palaszczuk Government’s workforce strategy.
“We are committed to working in partnership with LGAQ to ensure local councils continue to deliver employment outcomes under the First Start program that benefit their communities,” the minister said.
She added, “The Rural and Remote Capacity Building Project is further proof of that. It recognises councils as major employers in regional and remote areas.
Meanwhile, Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive officer Alison Smith also welcomed the opportunity to deliver the project in partnership with the Queensland Government.
“This program will provide a wonderful opportunity to rural and remote Queensland community workforces, which should never be disadvantaged by their postcode,” Smith remarked.
She added that the long-running LGAQ Indigenous Capacity Building Project, which provides training support to the 17 First Nation councils in Queensland, will be built upon by the Rural and Remote Capacity Building Project.
Minister Farmer revealed that LGAQ handles the yearly bidding process for the First Start program, which gives funds to local councils and not-for-profit community-based organisations to hire more trainees and apprentices as part of our Skilling Queenslanders for Work strategy.
LGAQ also assists with the final allocation of traineeship and apprenticeship places across councils, manages First Start’s communication and marketing strategies, and serves as the councils’ central reporting agency, she pointed out.
