More than $2.6 million to assist 455 people from the Gold Coast

The Queensland Government has committed more than $2.6 million from its Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to assist 455 people from the Gold 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:

• Kidz Foodz’s Feeding Friends on the Street with Rosies project, which will assist 20 people thanks to $512,900. 
• Abilities Plus - Learning by Doing’s project in Nerang, which will assist 20 people thanks to $403,900. 
• MEGT Australia’s I Got Brushed II SLSC project, which will assist eight people thanks to $194,200. 

Palaszczuk Government Minister and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said it was great to see funding for local projects in the latest round, including Abilities Plus in Nerang.

“This program is all about helping people in our community gain the valuable skills and experience they need to get a good job,” Minister Scanlon said.

“More than 450 Gold Coasters will benefit from this latest round and take part in programs tailored to what local employers are looking for.”

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