Queensland’s workforce is projected to top 2.5 million by 2022 and there will be a strong demand for skills according to new research released today by Jobs Queensland.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said the report set the scene for the Skills and Industry Summit to be held at the end of the month.
"The Anticipating Future Skills: Jobs growth and alternative futures for Queensland to 2022 report is ground-breaking research that looks at the economic modelling of future employment trends across all industries and regions of Queensland," Ms Fentiman said.
"On November 28th Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will bring together the state’s heads of industry to discuss the report and the future of work with educators, training providers, mayors and unions."
The research launched at an industry briefing in Brisbane today shows that by 2022 Queensland’s workforce is projected to grow to more than 2.56 million.
"This report combines economic modelling with scenario planning to project the state’s workforce at the state, regional, industry and occupational levels," the Minister said.
"Online tools released today will help businesses to plan for their future, ensuring they have the skilled workforce, assisting their business to continue to grow, now and into the future.
"Taking into account three possible scenarios that may impact future employment in Queensland, namely technological change, shifts in migration, and fluctuations in commodity prices."
Minister Fentiman said the report highlighted the important role of the state’s education and training systems in skilling Queenslanders for the future.
"We know that it is vital we invest in training Queenslanders to ensure we can provide the best skilled workers to fill the jobs of the fastest growing industries.
"The research details where the skilled jobs will be needed and what level of qualifications will be required.
"Half of all new jobs are projected to be created in the Health Care and Social Assistance; Professional, Scientific and Technical Services’; and Education and Training industries.
Jobs Queensland Interim Chair Peter Henneken said the research was commissioned to assist Queensland industries and communities to respond to change and to take advantage of new opportunities.
"In a rapidly changing world it is critically important businesses and communities across the state have access to the latest data to help them plan and develop their local workforces," Mr Henneken said.
Interactive online data tools are available free from the Jobs Queensland website for all Queensland industries and regions.
The Anticipating Future Skills: Jobs growth and alternative futures for Queensland to 2022 report and online tools are available at www.jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au/anticipating-future-skills/
Summary – Anticipating Future Skills: Jobs growth and alternative futures for Queensland to 2022
- The report has been completed by Jobs Queensland, with the assistance of industry, regions and communities, as part of Jobs Queensland’s role to advise the Queensland Government on future workplace skills and training needs
- It uses economic modelling and scenario planning to examine possible futures for work in 19 industries and 15 regions in Queensland
- Major findings include:
- More than 2.5 million people are projected to be employed in Queensland by 2022 with the workforce increasing by between 7.6 and 9.3 per cent from 2.37 million in 2017
- The projected growth represents an increase in jobs of between 180,222 and 221,590 across four plausible scenarios
- More than 50 per cent of all new workers are expected to be employed in just three industries – Health Care and Social Assistance; Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; and Education and Training
- The Queensland workforce is projected to become more educated with an additional 206,000 qualified workers in Queensland by 2022
- Employment is projected to increase across the state’s major employment regions, with the highest levels of growth to occur in the major population centres in the state’s south east.
