Introduction
Queensland's strong economic growth and low unemployment have resulted in skill and labour shortages.
This environment creates opportunities to increase the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the workforce through the provision of skills, qualifications and employment. The imperative to maximise Indigenous workforce participation is to improve the life choices of Indigenous people. It is also driven by Queensland's progressively ageing population and labour force which will contribute to a slowing in the growth of labour supply.
Under the Smart State agenda, the Queensland Government has developed a range of initiatives to address skill and labour shortages. In particular, the Queensland Skills Plan includes the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative which remains a key element of the Government's strategy to increase skill levels and alleviate labour shortages. Development of an Indigenous employment and training strategy was identified in the Queensland Skills Plan as the mechanism needed to implement 'a holistic response to disadvantaged Queenslanders to provide them with the support to achieve educational outcomes that will lead to decent employment'.
Recently the Queensland Government announced new priorities, including the Strengthening of Indigenous Communities. Through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), Queensland has also committed to closing the gap that lies between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in life expectancy, child mortality, reading, writing and numeracy and employment outcomes. COAG has noted that the pathway to closing the gap is inextricably linked to economic development and improved education outcomes.
Economic opportunity is underpinned by having skills and jobs which then flow on to personal and social benefits for individuals and communities. A strong focus on skills and jobs is not only supported by governments, but was overwhelmingly supported by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Queensland during consultations undertaken when developing Positive Dreaming, Solid Futures.