Wednesday, 18th March 2020
The LNP has called on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to support casual workers who are losing work in the COVID-19 pandemic to reskill into demand areas, such as the health and wellbeing of elderly Queenslanders.
LNP Shadow Minister for Employment, Small Business, Training and Skills Development Fiona Simpson raised the issue in Queensland Parliament today and said the pandemic was putting pressure on people’s health and their jobs.
“By helping casual workers who are potentially losing work, particularly in the hospitality sector, to re-train into other areas of need, such as personal care in aged care, we can support the vulnerable in our community and also provide an economic lifeline for these workers,” Ms Simpson said.
“More than 61% of accommodation and food service workers and more than 40% of retail workers were casual.
“Not everyone is suited for aged care support but whatever the areas that are still in demand, we need to make it easier to support people in upskilling and changing to areas with jobs.
“I’ve already spoken with hospitality workers who would love help to retrain
into aged care.
“We urgently need enhanced pathways funded and rolled-out to recruit
appropriately and make it easier to access this training and traineeships.”
