Mr Roche said the coal seam gas and export LNG industries have the potential to create approximately 18,000 new jobs, as they become the foundation for new investment proposals totalling more than $40 billion.

Mr Roche predicts that 15,000 drilling technicians, more than 200 electrical technicians, 300 diesel fitters and more than 1,000 process plant operators would be required by the industry within the next five years.

Mr Roche said he is not confident that the current VET system has the ability to “meet the LNG sector’s demand for a range of technical skills”.

The QRC is urging the State Government to establish a state-based independent statutory skills commission.

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“We see the skills commission as a circuit breaker for the necessary reform of Queensland’s essentially supply-driven vocation education and training (VET) system,” he said.

Meanwhile Queensland’s leading coal seam gas companies, Energy Skills Australia and the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) have joined forces to provide high school students with the opportunity to train for the LNG industry in their region.

State Premier Anna Bligh said that “From the start of the 2010 school year, seven new Surat Basin high schools will offer education and training options for students interested in resource sector careers.”

Origin Energy, QGC and Santos will invest $1.3 million in the project, which will provide training for more than 4,350 high school students in an industry that Ms Bligh said “will represent a massive boost in our economy”.

The program will provide different pathways for students including plant operation, trade qualification, an advanced diploma level traineeship in electrical or mechanical engineering or towards a professional engineering degree.

QMEA Chairman and Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council Michael Roche said that “Through the QMEA, local high school students will now have the information, incentive and encouragement they need to forge rewarding careers in a world class local industry.”