CSQ will invest $47 million in key initiatives to support career seekers, apprentices, workers and employers of the building and construction industry.

CSQ chief executive officer Brett Schimming said the training plan would directly address common challenges faced by the industry by focusing on five key areas of the construction lifecycle – attract, train, retain, develop and grow.

High school students will be targeted through a pre-apprenticeship program, providing an opportunity for candidates to undertake work with an employer and gain a Certificate 1 qualification.

However, Schimming said attracting new entrants to the industry was only the first part of the challenge, as the industry faced many difficulties in retaining its apprentices.

“CSQ is working extensively to improve apprentice retention rates in the industry, raising awareness of the issue and offering employers financial support to recommence out of trade apprentices,” he said.

Schimming added CSQ was looking to leverage all sources of potential skilled labour by building a more diverse workforce.

This would include boosting the number of female and indigenous persons in the industry.

Another contributing factor to a potential skills challenge is the significant number of workers in building and construction who have extensive experience but no formal qualifications, limiting the contribution they are able to make to the industry.

The training plan will offer financial support programs to assist with gaining recognition of prior learning, upskilling and meeting licensing requirements.

Schimming said the training plan was established through collaboration with industry and would help minimise the impact of any skills shortage.

“The Training Plan was developed following systematic engagement with industry stakeholders and an extensive survey of construction employers throughout Queensland to determine the key training and skilling challenges facing the industry,” Schimming said.

“Our survey showed more than 42% of respondents had experienced difficulties in [filling] roles and that more than two thirds intended to hire new staff or subcontractors in the next year.”