The Palaszczuk Government is ensuring Queenslanders are equipped with the skills needed for the future, with the launch of a new action plan and $8 million investment to help people get into digital jobs.
In launching the new Digital Professional Workforce Action Plan, Minister for Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said this was supporting more jobs in more industries as part of Queensland's plan for economic recovery.
"We want Queenslanders to be first in line for technology-intensive careers, which is an area where we know jobs will be needed in the future," Ms Enoch said.
"Industry is forecasting that we will need tens of thousands more digital workers in our state by 2024, which is why we are focused on skilling Queenslanders so we can harness these opportunities.
"The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the speed of digital transformation for many Queenslanders, and our new action plan will help us embrace the opportunities that come with this, and ensure we have a strong and diverse digital economy."
Minister Enoch said the four-year Digital Professional Workforce Action Plan forms part of the $200 million Future Skills Fund announced last year, and will help those who have been impacted by COVID-19 access digital re-skilling as a fast-track back into the workforce.
"We are seeing digital innovations coming from agribusiness, manufacturing, building and healthcare, which demonstrates just how vital these digital skills are," Ms Enoch said.
"Initiatives will also be rolled out to encourage more school leavers into digital and ICT courses and secure placements for neurodiverse people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples."
According to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC), digital skills are among the top four generic skillsets sought by employers.
Council of ICT Associations (CICTA) Chair Dr Nick Tate welcomed the action plan as a real contribution to addressing the digital skills shortage.
"It is an inescapable conclusion that Queensland needs, in the short and long term, to build a steady pipeline of digitally skilled talent to maintain growth and generate more jobs," he said.
"The Queensland Government's Digital Professional Workforce Action Plan is a key initiative to ensure that this happens.
"CICTA has worked collaboratively with the Government and individual industry leaders to develop this action plan because Queensland needs this initiative on a number of levels.
"Our technology companies must be cutting edge; other businesses must be capable of embracing new ways of working and many workers displaced by COVID-19 need help in identifying rapid reskilling opportunities.
"CICTA looks forward to working with the Government on the implementation of this plan," Dr Tate said.
