Miles Doing What Matters: Skilling Queensland’s Most Vulnerable for Work

• Thousands more Queenslanders are set to gain skills and secure jobs with the second 2024–25 round of the annually funded $80 million Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative now open.
• Through the life-changing initiative, the Labor Government has committed more than $743 million to boost Queensland’s workforce in priority industries like construction, primary industries, community services, and hospitality.

Skilling Queenslanders for Work is a Miles Labor Government employment program that funds community organisations across the state to deliver local training and employment projects to disadvantaged Queenslanders, to assist them in gaining the skills and qualifications they need to enter the workforce and stay in it.

Community organisations are encouraged to join this initiative to support the state’s most disadvantaged job seekers. Programs across Queensland have supported First Nations people, people with disabilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women, and mature age job seekers into employment opportunities that set them up for life.

Melissa McMahon MP announced the opening of the second funding round while visiting Twin Rivers Community Care Limited in Eagleby, on behalf of Queensland’s Training and Skills Development Minister Lance McCallum.

Twin Rivers Community Centre was awarded $1.81 million to deliver three projects to assist 106 job seekers in the first 2024-25 funding round of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. The projects include gaining qualifications in construction, hospitality, retail services or workplace skills.

Twin Rivers provides training and specialised wrap-around support to vulnerable and disadvantaged Queenslanders looking for work – having assisted around 800 locals develop the skills they need to secure employment.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macalister Melissa McMahon MP:

“Twin Rivers is an extraordinary example of community focus in practice, and the new Miles Labor Government couldn’t be happier to support them.

“With the latest funding round now open, more organisations can follow the lead of Twin Rivers and be part of something bigger - connecting job seekers with skills and employment, while building stronger, more caring communities.

“With continued investment and commitment, we are paving the way for a stronger, more resilient Queensland for everyone.”

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

“We know the cost-of-living is putting pressure on Queenslanders - this initiative provides essential support to help people secure ongoing employment to improve their livelihoods.

“For some, this may be the first formal qualification they’ll have ever gotten, and for others their very first job.

“The community services sector has seen first-hand the damage that cuts by the LNP can cause, so Queenslanders should rightfully be asking serious questions of David Crisafulli about whether he will cut this program again.”

“In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, this initiative is more important than ever, the last thing Queenslanders need is another huge cut to this program by David Crisafulli and the LNP.”

Quotes attributable to Manager CARE Services, Annelise Hellberg, Twin Rivers Community Centre:

"Skilling Queenslanders for Work is a clever initiative that aligns brilliantly with our vision to Connect, Build and Equip people for success in all areas of life.

“We have been privileged to partner with the Department in this way.”

Further Skilling Queenslanders for Work information:

In the first funding round for 2024-25, $44.6 million was awarded to 94 organisations to deliver 166 projects statewide.

Twin Rivers Community Centre was awarded $1.81 million to deliver three projects to assist 106 job seekers in the first round of 2024-25, including:

• Community Work Skills’ ‘Equip to Care’ project – $144,500 in funding to assist up to 40 job seekers to gain skills for employment in the care sectors including disability, aged care and health care and undertake a Certificate III in Individual Support that incorporates 120 hours of placement.
• Work Skills Traineeships’ ‘Build and Breath’ project - $517,300 in funding to employ up to 20 people experiencing mental health, alcohol and other drug issues, or those experiencing domestic abuse to complete a Certificate I in Construction, while undertaking work activities including assisting with building tiny homes, painting, tiling, constructing planter boxes, park benches and general repairs at Twin Rivers.
• Work Skills Traineeships’ ‘Twin Rivers Traineeships 24-25’ project - $1,143,200 (largest funded project statewide) in funding to employ 46 disadvantaged job seekers to complete a Certificate I in either Hospitality, Retail Services or Workplace Skills.

ENDS

Media contact: Meg Griffiths 07 3719 7511