Gladstone LNG skilling duplication

Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson on Wednesday morning at the RG Tanna Coal Terminal.

Jen Tybell

THE LNG train game has become the LNG training game, with training organisations now descending on Gladstone creating fears of mass duplication.

Queensland Training Minister Geoff Wilson launched the Gladstone Workforce Skilling Strategy in Gladstone today to help 210 unemployed people get jobs in the coal seam gas/liquefied natural gas (CSG-LNG) industry.

Mr Wilson said the $3.93 million strategy would help prepare Gladstone jobseekers, including indigenous, long-term unemployed and migrants.

"Gladstone is centre stage for LNG and the objective of the strategy is to ensure locals are trained to take up jobs," Mr Wilson told The Observer.

The project will involve partnerships with Job Service Australia providers, Group Training Australia, registered training organisations, industry associations, community organisation, the Gladstone Chambers of Commerce and local industries.

Energy Skills Queensland will receive $985,000 in funding from the Bligh Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and $425,000 from the Department of Education and Training to assist 210 people over two years through the project.

However, local training provider GAGAL manager Kerry Whitaker said it was just a waste of resources.

"GAGAL currently offers training for school leavers and the unemployed and there is no need to duplicate services because there are only so many people that can do the training," Ms Whitaker said.

"When funding is brokered, whoever the broker is, they take the first cut and then it comes down to organisations like GAGAL."