Wide Bay employers and workers big winners from Back to Work program

The Wide Bay region has the second-highest take-up rate of all regions for the Palaszczuk Government’s Back to Work regional jobs program. 

Industrial Relations Minister, Grace Grace, said that Wide Bay had embraced the program so enthusiastically that the region was second behind the Far North region in terms of jobseekers employed.

“This program has directly supported 1,378 jobs in the Wide Bay, and these numbers continue to grow,” she said.

“More than half of these workers – 800 - have been employed under the $20,000 Back to Work Youth Boost available to employers who hire a jobseeker aged 15-24. 

“Local employers in the Wide Bay have so far received over $8 million in support payments - money that’s being injected back into the local economy.

“Our investment in Wide Bay jobs is delivering positive results and the proof is in these figures,” Minister Grace said. 

Visiting Maryborough business, Auto Electrical Service today, Minister Grace said she was looking forward to talking with owners Kerrie and David Cripps about their use of the program.

“Kerrie and David have employed Lewis Reibel through the Youth Boost component of the program, meaning they are eligible for $20,000 in support payments. 

“I love visiting these businesses which have made use of the program by giving a young jobseeker a start. 

“Jobs are this government’s number one priority and all of our efforts are focused on creating and supporting more jobs for Queenslanders. 

“I want to encourage employers who are considering hiring a jobseeker to get on board with the Back to Work program,” she said.

Back to Work Regional Employment Program:

• Provides employer support payments for eligible employers who hire an unemployed worker
• $10,000 for an unemployed worker
• $15,000 for a long term unemployed worker (out of work for 12 months or more)
• $20,000 for hiring a young jobseeker aged 15-24 (from 1 December 2016 to 31 October 2017)

For more information about Back to Work, visit www.qld.gov.au/backtowork or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

Media contact: Martin Philip (0427 919 548)