Palaszczuk Government announces first funding packages under Skilling Queenslanders for Work

More than 8000 job seekers across Queensland will be supported with work skills training as the Palaszczuk Government rolls out its revamped Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

Training and Skills Minister Yvette D’Ath said 200 organisations across the state would share in more than $26 million through the first round funding allocations.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to developing jobs now and jobs for the future,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“Labor’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative will help people into training so they can better access paid employment.

“Under the program, people will be able to access the skills and training they need to get back into the workforce, to start a career, provide for their families and to build a stronger community.”

Mrs D’Ath said the funding injection was the beginning of a $240 million four-year initiative aimed at helping up to 32,000 unemployed, under-employed or disadvantaged people to gain the skills and training they need to enter the workforce.

“We want to do what we can to support Queenslanders back into work,” she said.

“Skilling Queenslanders for Work puts communities in the driving seat through a partnership with government to grow local employment opportunities, encourage greater social inclusion and assist people needing extra support to enter the workforce.

“This initiative is specifically tailored for local programs that support disadvantaged Queenslanders, including young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, mature-aged job seekers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and long-term unemployed people to find a path into work.

“This is all about giving people the right skills and getting them into jobs.”

An analysis by Deloitte Access Economics found the previous Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative returned almost $8 to the economy for every $1 that was invested before it was cut by the then LNP government.

Applicants who were not successful in the first round of funding will be able to apply for the next funding round, which is now open until November 12.

 Successful applicants across Queensland in this round include:

• BoysTown’s Community Work Skills – Traineeships project will receive $643,200 to provide jobs for 40 people around Logan Upgrading local community facilities.

• YWCA's Remote Ageing Support project will receive $45,000 to provide nationally recognised training and support to 15 local women from Longreach.

• Community Solutions’ Community Careers project will receive $376,400 to provide nationally recognised training and support to 135 mature aged people from Caloundra, Hervey Bay and Maryborough.

• Tully Support Centre’s Cassowary Coast Community Work Skills Program will receive $215,100 to provide nationally recognised training and support to 100 people around Cardwell, Innisfail and Tully.

• Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation’s Land Management, Market Garden and Nursery project will receive $353,500 to provide jobs for 20 local Indigenous people in Ayr and Home Hill.

• Downs Industry Schools Co-Operation’s Get Set and Go project will receive $212,500 to provide nationally recognised training and support to 60 young disengaged people in Toowoomba and Dalby.

• Multicultural Community Centre’s Pathways to Success program will receive $156,600 to provide nationally recognised training and support to 10 people from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Link to the Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs:

http://www.training.qld.gov.au/community-organisations/funded-programs/sqw/index.html

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