More than $5.1 million to assist 951 people from the Sunshine Coast

The Queensland Government has committed more than $5.1 million from its Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to assist 951 people from the Sunshine Coast. 

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said this was part of more than $31 million committed to assist 5,247 people across the state.

“More than 46,600 people in the state have found jobs thanks to Skilling Queenslanders for Work and it’s great to see how these projects will help even more people,” Minister Farmer said.

"We know this initiative is life changing because 76 per cent of participants find work or take on further training around 12 months after exiting a Skilling Queenslanders for Work program.

“The initiative funds community-based organisations who tailor their programs to suit local conditions, understand where opportunities and local employer needs are.

“Tailored, local community-based support is offered to young people, mature-age job seekers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, women re-entering the workforce, Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans, recently released prisoners; and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.”

Minister Farmer said projects to be funded include:

• Noosa Community Training Centre’s Reframe It II project, which will assist 18 people thanks to $408,700. 
• Five Bridges’ Stronger Foundations for Your Future project in Maroochydore, which will assist 48 people thanks to $180,600. 
• The Solution Network Australia Foundation’s Digital Business Mastery project, which will assist 40 people thanks to $135,700
• Skill Centred Queensland’s iCARE! 2023 project, which will assist 24 people thanks to $79,000. 

Member for Caloundra, Jason Hunt said it was wonderful to see funding for local projects in the latest round.

“The assistance these projects will provide to Sunshine Coast residents will be invaluable,” Mr Hunt said.

“In my electorate alone, 40 people will receive support to upskill themselves from the Solution Network Australia Foundation.

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.  

Minister Farmer said the initiative is another way of giving people the jobs, training and skills they need while helping them stay in their communities.

“The initiative supports many focus areas from Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032, which aims to attract, connect and educate a thriving workforce to set our state up for success now and into the future.”

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

END

Ministerial media contact: Nicola Field 0497 940 285