The Construction Skills Queensland training package will give construction workers the edge in delivering $46 billion in construction work over the next year.

Earthmoving plant operators, paving and surfacing workers and civil labourers are expected to be in hot demand over the next 18 months, with major infrastructure projects in need of skilled workers. The $36.7 million training package, announced today, is designed to support specific training programs in order to cater for these trends.

CSQ CEO Brett Schimming says the need for builders to reskill is inspired by a forecasted downturn in residential work.

"After several years of strong growth in residential building in Queensland, 2019-20 will see the industry pivot to large engineering construction projects.

"Projects like Brisbane’s Cross River Rail, the Port of Townsville Expansion and the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Facility will drive double-digit growth for the engineering sector, compared to the flat conditions faced by residential builders."

Another significant change expected over the next year is a return to regional areas.

"We are going to see a long-awaited turnaround in fortunes for regional Queensland - while residential building will contract in South East Queensland, it is set to grow strongly in other parts of the state," says Schimming.

Townsville, Central Queensland and Far North Queensland are likely to see the biggest increase.

"CSQ’s priority is making sure that all of the major projects and all regions in Queensland have a skilled and available local workforce to match the changing industry profile and to meet the specific needs at different stages of project delivery," says Schimming.

"Training dollars are available to those looking at entering construction, progressing their career or upskilling to take advantage of the new opportunities coming through the current industry cycle."

To find out which courses are being funded, visit www.csq.org.au

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