7 projects get $1 million to boost health and community services workforce

• Seven organisations are sharing more than $1 million in funding to boost health and community services workforces across the state.
• By 2024-25, it is projected that the Queensland Health and Community Services sectors will employ more than 440,800 people – an additional 63,000 people employed compared to 2020-21.
• Funded by the Queensland Care Consortium, a partnership between Jobs Queensland and industry, the projects will focus on supporting priority cohorts to participate in Queensland’s workforce and fill service gaps in the sector.

The successful applicants will implement projects to support workforce development, attraction and retention in the health and community services sectors and pave the way for the future of the sector. These include:

• Apunipima’s Cape York Health Council (Cape York – 11 communities) $258,934.
• Central Queensland Indigenous Development (Rockhampton) $58,000
• Aged Care Workforce Alliance (statewide) $165,000
• Multicultural Australia (South East Queensland) $148,926
• Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (Brisbane) $164,970
• True Relationships and Reproductive Health (statewide) $150,000
• Mater Misericordiae Ltd (Brisbane) $109,200

The projects focus on supporting First Nations people, young people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to find work across the sector including in aged care and community mental health.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice,
Di Farmer:

“The Queensland Government is committed to creating a skilled workforce for Queensland and good jobs for Queenslanders.

“Hospital, social assistance services and residential care services are predicted to grow by more than 20 per cent by 2024-25 and we need attract and retain workers in the health and community services sector.

“This funding will enable seven organisations to implement local solutions to address local workforce issues from Cape York to Brisbane and west to Woorabinda.

“It includes Apunipima’s Cape York Health Council who will receive more than $258,000 to implement improved employment pathways and upskilling programs across the north.

“The Aged Care Workforce Alliance will receive $165,000 to support young people into the workforce with the development of a ‘digital skills and mobility passport’ that will assist with training, recruitment and rostering.

“These innovative projects are helping those who experience disadvantage in the workforce to find good jobs, while providing vital services that support our communities.”

Jobs Queensland Board Chair Donna Bonney:

“Jobs Queensland is committed to our partnership with CheckUP Australia, the Community Services Industry Alliance (CSIA), Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) and The Services Union to deliver this project as part of the QCC program.

“The funding enables the strengthening of the Health and Communities Services sector workforces now and in the future, to attract and retain the best personnel who go on to deliver care for Queenslanders.

“It is great to see such a wide variety of projects to be delivered by the successful applicants.

“This is a huge opportunity for workforce development in under serviced areas of the sector.”

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

The Queensland Care Consortium is a partnership between Jobs Queensland, CheckUP Australia, the Community Services Industry Alliance (CSIA), Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS) and The Services Union.

The formation of the QCC is part of Jobs Queensland’s Health and Community Services Sectors Workforce Development project, a multi-year commitment to plan, develop and deliver practical workforce solutions driven by industry, for industry.

The establishment of the QCC is in support of the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032.

For more information about the Queensland Care Consortium visit https://jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au/current-partnerships/queensland-care-consortium/

ENDS

Media contact:  Gary Shipway – 0458 090 906