$42 million to skill up 5000 Queenslanders for work

Around 5000 Queenslanders are set to undertaking on the job training as part of the latest round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said more than 200 projects have been funded under the latest round of the highly successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work program.

“Skilling Queenslanders for Work has a great track record for providing hands on, job ready skills and training to Queenslanders who need it most,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Almost 31,000 people have found jobs thanks to participating in a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project since 2015 and we want that number to grow.”

“Investing in programs like these will open doors to more opportunities for Queenslanders while helping to drive our economy.

“This initiative is part of the Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs plan and will deliver real support to get people back in the workforce.

The $42 million funding for over 200 projects includes funding for organisations who were successful in receiving a share of the $10 million boost to the program to take on Work Skills trainees announced earlier this month.

Challenge Employment and Training have been successful in receiving funding to deliver nine more projects to skill up around 170 more people across Ipswich, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Moreton Bay.

Challenge Employment and Training CEO Richard Lindner welcomed the latest round of funding and said they have a proven record of getting participants into work once they finish the program.

“Challenge partners with local community groups, such as the Mudgeeraba Showgrounds on the Gold Coast, to undertake projects that leave a lasting benefit to the community.

“These projects build up the trainees’ confidence whilst giving them practical experience in using different tools and following a plan, cooperating with other team members and their supervisor.

“A current project underway at showgrounds is seeing our participants installing bollards, repairing and painting the ticket boxes and repairing the outdoor tables and seats while gaining a Certificate I in Construction.”

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.

Seventy-three per cent of participants find work, take on further training or return to school around 12 months after exiting a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project.

For further information visitwww.qld.gov.au/skillingqueenslandersor call 1300 369 935.

Dropbox to photos of current and past Skilling Queenslanders for Work projects: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kqrl88g3bixztki/AAAcA5sQPqqQhSVBvZdGbWD1a?dl=0

ENDS

Media contact:           Inga Williams              0439 949 719

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