Submissions

QAMH welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training (DYJESBT) on the development of a Queensland Vocational Education and Training (VET) Strategy. With the number of new jobs in the health care and social assistance industry projected to rise by 63,111 in 2024-25 alone, this work comes at an important time, and we look forward to a strategy which will deliver priority and future skills, ensure access for all Queenslanders, better connect employers and industry and support VET pathways and transitions.

These issues are particularly relevant to the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Sector. In this submission, we use the findings of our recent workforce survey together with insights from our significant body of work regarding the VET system to comment on consultation focus areas, including:

• Addressing issues with the current de facto ‘core’ qualifications, the Certificate IVs in Mental Health and Mental Health Peer Work;
• Developing new vocational options and pathways;
• Developing leadership qualifications;
• Support for emerging peer workforce; and
• Increasing supply and incentivising the community mental health and wellbeing workforce to service rural and remote areas.