STRONG INTEREST IN SKILLS TRAINING

Training and Skills Minister Yvette D’Ath has urged community organisations to act now to seek funds through Skilling Queenslanders for Work in the face of an overwhelming response to its revival by the Palaszczuk Government.

 Ms D’Ath said organisations had until June 19 to apply for this year’s grants in the $240 million Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, a cornerstone of the Palaszczuk Government’s job creation strategy.

 She said the level of inquiries and applications from across the state vindicated the government’s decision to reinstate Skilling Queenslanders for Work, which was axed by the LNP despite its proven track record.

 “Interest has been intense and I’m urging organisations to lodge their paperwork now because late applications can’t be accepted,” Ms D’Ath said.

 The Palaszczuk Government is investing $60 million this year to help community organisations, local councils and school groups such as Parents and Citizens and Parents and Friends, to partner with the state in teaching Queenslanders job-ready skills.

  “This partnership is key to the scheme’s success and recognises one size doesn’t fit all. Communities are best placed to know exactly what they need and this model allows us to tap into valuable on-the-ground knowledge to tailor training accordingly,” Ms D’Ath said.

 “We are making this investment to support people who have historically faced difficulty getting trained and finding a job. This includes young people, mature-age jobseekers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and those from culturally diverse backgrounds.

 “This joint effort is expected to help up to 8000 disadvantaged Queenslanders find work in its first year and we anticipate that over the four years of this $240 million initiative up to 32,000 Queenslanders will get the help they need to start a new career.”

 Ms D’Ath said Queenslanders were eager to join in: “The response has been overwhelming – the department’s regional staff have delivered more than 22 information sessions throughout the state, addressing more than 1400 people,” she said.

 The Training Queensland Customer Centre had taken more than 350 calls and departmental staff had either met separately or spoken with more than 450 organisations. The Skilling Queenslanders for Work information page (www.training.qld.gov.au/sqw ) has been viewed almost 40,000 times. 

 “Given this level of interest, it’s likely the requests will outstrip the funds available, which is why I urge all interested groups to get their proposal in now,” Ms D’Ath said.

 Skilling Queenslanders for Work includes six programs, four of which – Community Work Skills, Ready for Work, Get Set for Work and Youth Skills – will be delivered by community organisations. They cover a range of customised support, including nationally-recognised training, traineeships, paid work placements, career advice, job preparation skills and individual case management.

School groups can apply under the Ready for Work program to deliver short-term job preparation and skills courses that make potential applicants a better fit for employers. There are also two traineeship programs­ – First Start and Work Start incentives. Under First Start, up to $2.5 million will be available in 2015-16 to create 200 traineeships with councils across Queensland. Work Start will offer private sector employers a $2000 incentive if they employ a SQW participant as a trainee or apprentice.

 More information: Scott Dixon 0455 051 977