550 Darling Downs people now in jobs

Published Thursday, 14 September, 2017 at 02:05 PM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills
The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

The Palaszczuk Government’s successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative has helped 557 people in the Darling Downs region get back into the workforce.

The latest figures come as the hugely successful program has reached a new benchmark, resulting in 10,000 people having secured a job as a result of this initiative.

Minister for Training and Skills Yvette D’Ath said these results reaffirmed the Palaszczuk Government’s decision to re-establish Skilling Queenslanders for Work, which Tim Nicholls cut as the Newman LNP Government’s Treasurer in 2012.

“In the Darling Downs region, the Palaszczuk Government has invested $10.6 million under Skilling Queenslanders for Work for a total 66 projects that has helped people into the workforce, and to go onto further training,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“As at the end of August, figures show a total 867 people have completed a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project. 557 have secured a job and 176 have gone onto further training or returned to school.”

“Community projects under Skilling Queenslanders for Work have helped give support to people who are facing barriers and assists job seekers through job readiness training, supported training to earn nationally recognised qualifications and paid traineeships with local councils and not-for-profit organisations.

“These projects offer tailored support to young people, mature age people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, and people from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds.”

The Newman-Nicholls LNP Government cut Skilling Queenslanders for Work despite a report by Deloitte finding that for every dollar invested in the program, it generated nearly eight dollars in return.

Mrs D’Ath said these recent figures showed Skilling Queenslanders for Work was making a real difference to people’s lives, and highlighted the damage of Tim Nicholls’ decision to cut the job creating initiative.

“Through these programs, jobseekers are developing their skills that will ultimately help them stand out during the job application process and make a good start when they get an opportunity.

“It is wonderful to see Skilling Queenslanders for Work is producing fantastic outcomes for people in the Darling Downs region and across the state.”

Skilling Queenslanders for Workfunds skills development, training and job opportunities for unemployed, disengaged or disadvantaged Queenslanders through a suite of targeted skills and training programs.

“Applications for the next round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work funding close at 5pm today,” she said.

“I encourage community-based organisations and local councils that wish to participate to go online and apply now.”

Applications can be submitted online by 5pm today. For further information visit www.training.qld.gov.au/sqw or call 1300 369 935.

Link to the 2012 Deloitte analysis of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program that was provided to the Newman-Nicholls LNP Government: https://www2.deloitte.com/au/en/pages/economics/articles/evaluation-skilling-queenslanders-for-work-program.html

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