Queenslanders kicking goals thanks to Skilling Queenslanders for Work

Applications are now open for the latest round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work. Almost $24 million was allocated in the last round to support over 3200 Queenslanders to gain job ready skills and training under the State Government’s successful skills and jobs program.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman met with successful recipient Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) to congratulate them and announce applications open for the following round.

“Skilling Queenslanders for Work provides hands on support and training for participants to gain work ready skills and a qualification, with more than 70% going on to get a job or further training once they graduate,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Queensland Rugby Union have a fantastic track record with this program with all participants in their first intake of their project last year going on to get a job.”

Sean Brackin took part in the project last year and since earning his Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management, he now has a job working as an apprentice groundskeeper with Queensland Cricket and is supported through his training for free thanks to the government’s free apprenticeships initiative.

“Working with the grounds staff at Ballymore gave me some good skills in turf management and landscaping, but it also helped me get the confidence that I could have a career as a groundsman,” Sean said.

“We did some visits to Queensland Cricket as part of the traineeship and I was thrilled to come and work for them.”

Under the last round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work, Queensland Rugby Union received $312,300 to recruit 16 participants who will undertake paid employment while studying a Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management as part of the Ballymore Park and Enoggera Creek Reclamation project.

The first intake are due to begin the project next week and this is one of 129 successful projects funded under the latest round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work.

Queensland Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer David Hanham said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work participants have been working hard learning landscaping and turf management skills at Ballymore and our community rugby clubs around Brisbane.

“They have made a real difference to the Ballymore precinct – areas such as the famous XXXX Hill have been completely renovated. They have also helped at a grassroots level, preparing our Premier Rugby club grounds for matches during the season,” Mr Hanham said.

“We are very proud of the life and work skills our trainees gained working here, and almost all the trainees who went through our program last year have now found long term work.”

Ms Fentiman said more than 28,000 people had found jobs thanks to participating in a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project and the Palaszczuk Government was looking for the next round of innovative projects.

“The first funding round for 2020 is now open and I would encourage community organisations to apply,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Each year more participants are gaining confidence, skills and jobs thanks to these projects and in many cases the wider community benefits from their work too.

“Projects funded under the last round will see participants upgrade facilities at the Queensland Moto Park in Coulson, the Mackay Showgrounds, Aboriginal bushlands in Cunnamulla and the Tugun Seahawks Rugby League Football Club.

“Young Redcliffe participants will complete business traineeships, a Lockyer Valley project will work on conservation and land management, the Nature’s Powerhouse social enterprise in Cooktown will host a group of hospitality trainees and the next Cowboys Dream, Believe, Achieve project in Townsville will train 60 people in retail or hospitality.”

“Skilling Queenslanders for Work is a key job and skills generating program that was reintroduced in 2015 after the LNP government axed funding when they were in government.”

For information on how to apply for Skilling Queenslanders for Work visitwww.qld.gov.au/skillingqueenslandersor call 1300 369 935.

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

For information on free apprenticeships visit: For more information:

https://www.freeapprenticeships.desbt.qld.gov.au/

ENDS

Media contact:                              Inga Williams          0439 949 719

Hashtags:

Skilling Queenslanders for Work #skillingqueenslanders

Link to photos:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ev8gyqt2zbh2k2o/AAD9ojA3peWQPnNzj1ahZ3XXa?dl=0

QRU GM Matt Horan, Shannon Fentiman, SQW supervisor Ryan Tracey, Head Groundsman Hamish Blomfield, past SQW participant and Qld Cricket apprentice Sean Backin.