Thousands of Queensland job seekers will be trained in areas of skills shortages in a bid to fast track the unemployed into work and buffer them from the economic downturn.

The training will be available across Australia this financial year at a cost of A$187 million, under the rescue plan unveiled by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd yesterday.

Thousands of places are expected to be funded in Queensland through the Federal Government’s Productivity Places Program.

Areas such as hospitality, child care, aged care, retail and security, where there are shortages of skilled workers, are expected to be targeted.

“With the slowing economy, the Government is committed to supporting and training job seekers to ensure all those who can benefit from the extra help are able to access these places,” Mr. Rudd said.

Industry groups and businesses yesterday welcomed the additional training places but warned the government must ensure they were delivered in areas needed.

Under the scheme, registered training organizations call for job seekers to participate in training programs fully funded by the Commonwealth.

The Government said that some thousands job seekers had already enrolled in the scheme in the past six months in Queensland.