The Queensland Government is continuing to revitalise the state’s vocational education and training (VET) with the introduction of a new Bill in Parliament today.
Minister for Education Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said that, if passed, the Further Education and Training Bill 2014 would repeal the Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000 and introduce modern legislation regulating apprentices and trainees.
Mr Langbroek said the new Bill would reduce red tape, remove unnecessary regulation, and better support industry, employers and individuals, especially in relation to apprenticeships and traineeships.
“The Newman Government is delivering on its $86 million election commitment to create an extra 10,000 apprentice commencements over six years,” he said.
“This Bill creates a new regulatory framework to support this promise, by reducing duplication and red tape for employers and providing more flexibility for employees.”
Mr Langbroek said the Bill had already received positive feedback from industry and was a key milestone in the implementation of Great Skills. Real Opportunities. – the Queensland Government’s significant reform agenda for VET.
“We need to update legislation so Queensland has improved access to quality skills when and where they are required, simplifying processes and increasing flexibility for businesses and individuals,” he said.
“Removing duplication of rights and processes already covered by industrial relations legislation will provide a clearer process for resolution of issues between employers and employees.
“These amendments will achieve the same protections for apprentices and trainees as other employees already have in the workplace.”
Mr Langbroek said this was another way the government was working to cut red tape by 20 per cent within the next five years, to ease the burdens imposed by the Labor Government.
“There’s no doubt that under the former Labor Government, Queensland’s VET sector was hindered by excessive bureaucracy and serious, meaningful reform was put in the ‘too hard basket’,” he said.
“Our Government is cleaning up Labor’s mess by reforming the VET sector so that training will lead to real jobs and increased productivity.”
If passed, the Bill will repeal the Higher Education (General Provisions) Act 2008 which is now redundant since all Queensland providers of higher education have been regulated by Commonwealth legislation since January 2012.
“We welcome further feedback about the reforms in the Bill, which is expected to be reviewed by a Parliamentary Committee,” Mr Langbroek said
