Premier Campbell Newman and Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek announced yesterday that Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche would lead the group.

Newman said the taskforce to include participation from industry leaders and training providers was launched as an attempt to reduce state unemployment and establish a "four pillar economy"

"Mr Roche will work with members from other key Queensland industry sectors including construction, agriculture and tourism to overhaul the state's training sector and meet current skills shortages and future skills needs," Newman said.

"The taskforce will consult interest groups, consider recent reviews and reports and develop recommendations for the future of our [vocational education and training] sector."

Roche said he was under no illusion about the challenges involved in chairing an organisation whose scope encompassed the state's entire workforce.

"Let me say at the outset that this will not be an exercise focusing exclusively on the resources sector but the vocational education and training system's skilling role for individuals and industry as a whole," he said.

"The taskforce will take a ‘whole-of-economy' approach recognising that skills are not only an asset for the individual but also that a highly skilled workforce is an asset for Queensland."

The taskforce is scheduled to commence work within two weeks, provide an interim report by the end of August and a final report before parliament rises for the year.