The Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training was established in May 2023.
The department recognises the important relationship between employment outcomes, strong small businesses and a skilled workforce to the wellbeing of Queenslanders and their communities.
Our Director-General
Robert (Bob) Gee APM
Director-General, Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training
Robert (Bob) Gee APM has been appointed Director-General for the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training (DYJESBT).
Prior to this, Bob was Director-General of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (2021–23). He has also previously served as Director-General of the Department of Youth Justice. Bob was also Deputy Police Commissioner, Regional Operations in the Queensland Police Service (QPS), the State Disaster Coordinator, a board member of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, and the QPS Indigenous Champion. Bob is the Government Champion for Doomadgee.
Bob has a Master's degree in Public Administration, GAICD, and was a recipient of the Harvard Club of Australia Sir James Wolfensohn Scholarship in 2013. He values research being used pragmatically to improve evidence-based practice.
Bob has worked as a university lecturer, as a consultant across a broad range of industries, been a Chief Information Officer and was a Commissioned Officer of Police for over 20 years. In these roles, Bob demonstrated a deep commitment to public safety, rural and regional Queensland, and building stakeholder relationships and community resilience, particularly for those who are most vulnerable.
Service area structure
The department's service area structure based on the 2022–23 Service Delivery Statements (SDS) (PDF, 1.6MB) as at 30 June 2022 is as follows:
| Department's service area | Department's objectives |
|---|---|
EmploymentConnecting and supporting Queenslanders with employment programs and services | Preparing Queensland's workforce for the demands of current and future industries |
Small BusinessConnecting Queensland small business to grants and support programs | Helping small businesses to start, grow and thrive |
Training and skillsConnecting Queenslanders to training and skills programs and initiatives | Connecting people to quality training and skills |
The department is responsible for supporting the Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice. In supporting the Minister, the department is maintaining high-quality services and focusing on implementing the government's objectives for the community and its government commitments.
During 2021–22, the department worked collaboratively with government and stakeholders in delivering the following government commitments:
- worked to achieve the target of 25% of government procurement from Queensland small and medium businesses
- provided funding for the establishment the Caloundra Business Alliance to roll out the Buy Local initiative, a Shop Caloundra EFTPOS card
- established the Office of the Small Business Commissioner
- developed targeted engagement strategies and re-invigorated the Small Business Advisory Council
- developed a First Nations Training Strategy in consultation with communities to identify training gaps and deliver job-focused training to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- completed stage 2 of Toowoomba TAFE's new Rural Centre of Excellence
- constructed the Cyber Security Training Operation Centre at Mooloolaba TAFE
- completed delivery of the fit-out of the new eco-friendly TAFE campus at Robina
- completed upgrades to nursing and allied health facilities at Hervey Bay TAFE.
Read the September 2022 program report on 2020 government election commitments (PDF, 1MB).
Following recent changes to departmental responsibilities, we are now the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training (DYJESBT). Work is underway to update our websites. Find information on youth justice.
Last updated 25 May 2023
