Last week Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced an $83 million jobs and skills package to help the state rebuild after the recent natural disasters.

This package is just a small slice of the more than $5 billion the federal government plans to pour into Queensland.

“We know it will take many months to rebuild disaster-hit communities across Queensland but the Commonwealth will be there providing support every step of the way,” Gillard said.

Of the package, $36 million is for community work placements, $14.1 million is for apprentice training and support, while $13 million is for skills training in prioritised areas.

A flexible funding pool of $12 million is also part of the package for small-scale capital works.

“It is essential that apprentices are given the support they need to continue their training until demand picks up,” Gillard said.

“Apprentice reconstruction work-teams will employ out-of-trade apprentices to join the recovery effort and employers will be paid incentives to retain apprentices in critical industries.”

With the coal seam gas sector heating up in the state, the Hays Oil and Gas Salary Guide released this month revealed Australia-based oil and gas workers are the best paid in the world.

Retaining the top spot from last year, the guide shows Australian workers are paid an average of $US143,700 ($A141,790).

The guide also revealed that while permanent salaries bottomed out during 2010, contract rates significantly rose, with local workers taking home an average of $1080 per day, a 30% increase on the previous year.