$7 million ‘life changing’ job creation program for First Nations Queenslanders

• New Miles Government’s Pathways For First Nations Peoples includes initiatives to support collaborative efforts that drive equality in training outcomes for First Nations Queenslanders.
• A new round of grants worth $2.8 million is now open for Indigenous designed and led projects that support or respond to local training and workforce needs.
• $2.4 million has been awarded to the Indigenous-designed and led projects, which support employment pathways that respond to local workforce needs, including $587,100 for three projects in Far North Queensland.

Up to 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will benefit from a Miles Labor Government program that aims to create training and employment pathways for the state’s First Nations jobseekers.

A new $2.8 million round of funding for the Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grant program has been committed to as part of the Queensland Skills Strategy: Pathways For First Nations Peoples plan, taking the total investment in the program to $7 million.

The program recognises that skills and training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be more successful when solutions are designed and developed locally and supported by the community.

Among the 11 projects sharing in $2.4 million to equip First Nations participants with in-demand skills and training from community services to construction is Thursday Island’s Torres Strait Kaziw Meta with $177,800 for their Indigenous-led Learners Program.

The new program will support up to 20 disengaged young people and boarding house parents to gain their learner licence and access driving lessons to obtain their driver licence and access employment opportunities.

The project will help tackle local transport issues for young people and open doors to job opportunities in a wide range of industries. In addition to obtaining a licence, participants will be exposed to several career paths, have access to training and well-being services, and learn resume writing and interview skills.

In Far North Queensland, projects also include:

• $250,000 for Cape York Institute’s Skills to Lead Program 2024-2025 - Cape York Institute Leadership Academy, which will support up to 22 Indigenous participants in Cairns and Cape York to build confidence and job readiness, and secure meaningful employment.
• $159,300 for Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council to support 15 participants to undertake non-accredited and flexible training that will improve their language, literacy, numeracy, and digital skills to help them find employment or start their own business.

The remaining eight projects will be delivered in Townsville, Goondiwindi, Longreach, Rockhampton and across Southeast Queensland.

Quotes attributable to Member for Cook and Torres Strait Islander Cynthia Lui:

“I am passionate about economic development in our remote communities. We are investing in people - in skill-building, jobs, and training - because this is the foundation from which we grow business, industry, and economically.

“The Miles Labor Government knows the importance of First Nations people leading work that directly impacts the lives and futures of our people and we’re committed to bringing that money back to community by making multinational companies pay their fair share.

“Programs like this are already making a difference, changing lives, and building futures, so we are excited to build on these partnerships, working closely with First Nations peoples to achieve their goals in training and employment.

“Together, we’ll continue to see First Nations peoples entering and re-entering the workforce with more skills, greater confidence, and an even deeper connection to their communities while pursuing careers in construction, community services, land management, security, and automotive.”

“Initiatives like this are skilling up First Nations Queenslanders for the good jobs being created through our Big Build and our region’s growing sectors like health and community services.”

Quotes attributable to Kaziw Meta CEO Thomas Dunsmore:

“A huge thanks to the Miles Government for their support of Kaziw Meta in this program–without it we wouldn't be able to make it happen.

“One of the big challenges here in the Torres Strait is just simply getting your licence–something that's very easy for us to attain down south–so for our kids it's about just making that pathway a bit easier and for them.

“This will just create so many opportunities, open doors to jobs, and really gives them the skill set to grow and go on the right pathway and journey in life.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Training and Skills Development and Gubbi Gubbi man Lance McCallum:

“We understand how life-changing a good job can be, so at the heart of the new Miles Labor Government’s vision for Queensland lies a commitment to the physical, social, and economic well-being of our First Nations peoples.

“Labor is proud to back communities and proud to back the organisations that help locals get the skills that they need to get into work, as well as the life skills they need to live a happy, enjoyable, and productive life.

“The very dignity of work for thousands of job seekers in First Nations communities across Queensland is all at risk under the LNP.

“There's a very important decision that Queenslanders have to make in October this year–a choice that could not by more stark or more clear–between Labor who will back indigenous workforce skills and capacity and the LNP who will always cut, sack, and sell.

“Only Labor believes that true change comes from placing First Nations peoples at the centre of decision-making on matters that shape their futures and the futures of their communities.”

Further information:

Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grant program was extended under the Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy and features in Pathways For First Nations Peoples.

The next funding round is now open and eligible Indigenous organisations have until Thursday, 3 October 2024 to apply.

For a full list of successful projects or to apply for the next round of grants, please visit: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/community-orgs/iwsdg

For more information and to read the Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024 – 2028, visit www.qld.gov.au/SkillsStrategy. 

ENDS

Media contact: Andrew Churchill – 0472 645 871