Scott Morrison didn't flinch when a central Queensland schoolboy told him he isn't yet sure what he wants to be when he grows up.
"You just keep studying and doing the right thing," the prime minister advised the student at a community forum in Rockhampton on Friday.
Whatever they chose to pursue, the prime minister hopes all children in the region will grow up to have the same mining and manufacturing jobs at their disposal that they do today.
That will require leadership he's willing to give, he argued.
"That won't happen under a Labor government, because they sneer at the jobs of central Queenslanders, and they sneer at their future," he told reporters in wrapping up a press conference, to the applause of community members gathered nearby.
Mr Morrison is putting his money where his mouth is when it comes to backing the two industries, stumping up $30 million for an upgraded School of Mining and Manufacturing at CQUniversity in Gladstone and Rockhampton.
Talking up the package, he was flanked by local LNP MP Michelle Landry, who is fighting to keep the seat of Capricornia - which she holds on a very narrow margin of 0.63 per cent.
She is facing a challenge from Labor's Russell Robertson, with the opposition having lost the seat in 2013.
"It's all about jobs," Ms Landry told reporters.
There are about 40,000 full-time jobs in the resources sector in central Queensland, with the industry contributing 37 per cent to gross regional product.
Local Wayne Daniels, who had the prime minister's ear for a few minutes, agreed employment will be a major issue in the area at the election, along with coal mining, with Adani's proposed Carmichael mine in the Galilee Basin a hot topic.
Richard Wilson, who also spoke with the leader, likes his straight talking.
"There's no crap. It's all dealing in facts," he told AAP.
The mining school funds will also benefit the Flynn electorate held by LNP member Ken O'Dowd by 1.04 per cent.
The prime minister joined the candidate in Gladstone to tour family-run machine-making company Purcell's Engineering, getting a run down from owner Terry on all owner on all manner of tools.
Earlier, the smell of burning plastic greeted the prime minister as he toured a water tank producer in Rockhampton.
He learnt that Nu-Tank is among businesses that have taken advantage of the government's instant asset write off, buying new trailers.
"I'll ring Josh, he's going to be very excited," Mr Morrison said, in reference to Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
Labor released its costings on Friday, promising a "better set of books" than the coalition thanks to $154 billion in budget savings over the next decade.
But the prime minister didn't look even remotely flustered.
"There's always something very fishy when it comes to Labor's claims about managing money," he said.
