This is the text of a media release from the Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie.
Premier Peter Beattie said today bright young Queenslanders were being recruited into the public service, to help build the Smart State.
Mr Beattie said a dedicated professional public service employment stream had attracted almost 20,000 graduates in three years.
“The 19,700 graduates drawn into this stream are additional to the young people who were separately recruited into departments,” Mr Beattie said.
“The public sector – like the population generally – is ageing, and as I approach my 51st birthday I am more certain than ever of the value of maturity and experience.
“However young public servants also have a great deal to offer the people of Queensland, which is why the government attracts them to the public sector.
“The Government also has an important role in grooming young people to compete in our increasingly challenging labour market.
“In 2002-2003, State Government departments took on 1,361 trainees.
“Since we introduced “Breaking the Unemployment Cycle” in October 1998, 12,174 trainees have been placed in the public sector.
“In addition, 951 trainees have been placed in the public sector under the Youth for the Environment program, and 494 school students have done apprenticeships and traineeships in the public sector.
“That’s a total of 13,619 young people entering the public sector (including local councils) in apprenticeships or traineeships.
“We can always improve our recruitment strategies, so a government committee has commissioned a workforce management project. Its aims include developing better ways to attract and retain skilled young workers to deliver service to Queenslanders,” Mr Beattie said.
