First Start to create 400 new council trainees

The Palaszczuk Government has invested $6 million to create 400 new traineeship positions with local councils across the state.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work First Start initiative will provide Queenslanders with the opportunity to undertake a 12-month traineeship with local councils and community-based organisations.

“Skilling Queenslanders for Work can open doors to some fantastic opportunities for people across the state,” Ms Fentiman said

“This program gives people who have struggled to find a job, the opportunity to gain the skills and training they need to find work and build a successful career.

“Improving job prospects for Queenslanders will boost the local economy and help businesses to grow.”

“Since the First Start program re-commenced in 2015 we have invested more than $17 million to provide training and employment opportunities for 1,300 trainees in Queensland.”

“This could not come at a better time in the lead up to this month’s Skills Summit which will bring together the state’s heads of industry to discuss the future of work with educators, training providers, mayors and unions.”

Unity Water and 66 local councils have been successful in securing funding under the latest round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work First Start.

LGAQ chief executive Greg Hallam said it was pleasing the Association’s longstanding relationship with the Queensland Government through the delivery of the First Start program continued to show success.

“In times when it is difficult to invest in training, councils as large local employers stand up and invest in the skills of the young and not-so-young workers in their communities,” he said.

“Councils recognise the long-term benefits of investing in traineeships and apprenticeships to support their own workforces but also to ensure an ongoing source of skilled workers generally.”

“The Government deserves congratulations for its continued investment in the program.”

”This program delivers fantastic results for young Queenslanders with 85 percent of First Start trainees and apprentices aged 15-24 years,” Ms Fentiman said.

First Start is just one component in the $80 million allocated to Skilling Queenslanders for Work to provide training and support to a minimum 10,000 disadvantaged Queenslanders.

For further information visit www.training.qld.gov.au/sqw or call 1300 369 935.

For a list of recipients visit:

www.training.qld.gov.au/firststart

ENDS

Media Contact:          Inga Williams              0439 949 719