Smart education
Delivering world-class education and training
Queenslanders are better educated and more skilled than we've ever been.
The Queensland Government is ensuring all Queensland children can access a high quality kindergarten program in the year before they start Prep. To achieve this we've accelerated our kindergarten building program to deliver up to 240 new kindergarten services across the state by 2014.
We're boosting the number of Queenslanders with a qualification and skilling Queenslanders for the jobs of tomorrow by providing flexible pathways through education and training.
We are making good progress in education and training.
- More than 97 per cent of eligible children attend a full-time Prep year before commencing Year 1
- About 21 percent of 25-64 year olds have at least a bachelor degree as their highest qualification (up from 13 per cent in 1997)
- 33 per cent of Queenslanders hold a high level vocational qualification (up from 23 per cent in 1997)
- Queensland has the majority of Australia's school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, with around half of all student commencements.
Achieving our targets
Our education and skills levels have improved, but there is still work to do.
We introduced a full time Prep year, and lifted the school starting age, so our children are better prepared for school.
The landmark ‘learning or earning’ reforms have increased Year 12 completion rates, with Year 12 or its equivalent the minimum qualification needed to succeed in life beyond school.
We've doubled the number of computers in state schools since 1999, helping our students keep up with technology trends. Almost all school computers are now connected to the internet.
New academies for gifted students in science, maths, creative arts, and health sciences are ensuring that these talents and abilities are nurtured for the future.
Our overhaul of vocational education and training, and the new industry partnerships we've established, are helping to fund thousands of extra trades training places to meet skills demand and to match training requirements with industry needs.
Early childhood education
The early years of childhood are critical, and shape a child's wellbeing and future life experiences. Access to a quality early childhood education program should be available to all Queenslanders, including children living in our most disadvantaged families and communities. These programs provide the foundation for future success in learning and life. Benefits can include improved literacy and numeracy, increased school readiness, higher school achievement, increased employment prospects and improved social interactions between children.
Children with access to a quality early childhood program are also less likely to have contact with the criminal justice system and mental health services, or require family support, than children who didn't receive that flying start to learning and life.
Training and qualifications
We need to skill Queenslanders for the jobs of tomorrow. Rapid technological change and a competitive global market are placing a high premium on a skilled workforce for the future. Increasing access to education and training programs and services helps us to adapt to the growing skills demand within Queensland.
Leading by example
Find out how Queensland Government agencies have taken up the challenge of delivering world class education and training.
2011- 12 Budget highlights
Find out how the 2011-12 State Budget is supporting the Q2 ambitions and targets:
Targets
Progress to date:
40 per cent of Queensland children participate in a quality early childhood education program.
Q2 Baseline:
29 per cent of children participate in a quality early childhood education program.
Progress to date:
55.3 per cent of Queenslanders hold Certificate III or higher qualifications.
Q2 Baseline:
50.3 per cent of Queenslanders hold Certificate III or higher qualifications.
