$51.7 million sets stage for skills bonanza in 2024 

• 225 projects will support more than 7000 vulnerable job seekers as part of Round 2 of the Miles Government’s flagship skills and training initiative – Skilling Queenslanders for Work. 
• Job seekers across metropolitan and regional Queensland will receive training in priority areas – including Construction, Community Services, Early Childhood Education and Care, Rail Infrastructure, Hospitality and Conservation and Ecosystem Management.
• Since 2015, Skilling Queenslanders for Work has assisted over 83,700 unemployed and underemployed Queenslanders and helped more than 53,700 Queenslanders find jobs.

Audio of press conference here. 

The Miles Government is kick starting the New Year with assistance for up to 7,020 vulnerable job seekers thanks to a $51.7 million investment in targeted and tailored training and employment pathways.

Skilling Queenslanders for Work is one of the Government’s most successful job creating initiatives – assisting unemployed and underemployed Queenslanders to gain skills, qualifications and experience to either enter or remain in the workforce.

New Skills Minister Lance McCallum made the announcement in Cairns with Northern Joblink - who have delivered 16 successful training projects since 2015.

The business is a demonstration of the good work that can be achieved by the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program. 

More than $684 million has been committed to the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative since 2015.

This major investment has helped to secure the workforce of industries like construction, primary industries, hospitality and community services.

In this new round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work, 225 community-based organisations will receive grants to help participants to overcome barriers such as social isolation, learning difficulties and mental health, while providing the skills and experience necessary to transition them to further education and employment.

Recipients include: 

• Fiji Community Association, Far North Queensland, Gympie and Cairns
• Sharehouse Youth Programs Inc, Townsville
• Mackay Canegrowers Limited, Cassowary Coast
• Beyond DV, Brisbane
• Queensland African Communities Council, Brisbane

A full list of successful recipients is available here.

Round one funding for 2023-24 saw $39.6 million awarded for 162 projects to support more than 5300 disadvantaged Queenslanders into the workforce.

The first Skilling Queenslanders for Work funding round for 2024–25 will open on 29 January 2024.

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

“The Miles Government is getting more Queenslanders into good jobs quicker.

“Queensland businesses need skilled employees across the board, and we are committed to delivering the training needed in areas of demand.

“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work program is one of our government’s most successful job creating initiatives, so I’m pleased to announce more than $51 million towards the next round of projects.

“This funding will see 7,020 job seekers supported to find work, particularly in priority industries like healthcare and tourism. 

“The organisations receiving fundings understand their communities and their workforce needs and can make vital connections between job seekers and employers.

“Skilling Queenslanders for Work is helping people overcome the barriers to participation, to acquire new and in-demand skills. 

“More than half of all participants are young people aged 15-24, almost 1 in 5 identify as First Nations, and more than 12 per cent of participants are people with disability.

 “After being axed by the LNP, our government has brought back Skilling Queenslanders for Work to open doors, build skills and self-confidence, and thousands of Queenslanders into work since 2015.

 “The next round will open for applications very soon, so I encourage businesses to check out the initiative and how to apply.” 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism and Sport Michael Healy:

“The Queensland tourism and hospitality sector is crying out for more talented workers of all ages, cultures and backgrounds.

“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work program plays a vital role in creating good job opportunities for those who’ve found it tough to find work.

“These Queenslanders come out the other side with the skills and confidence they need to help tourism operators thrive and attract more visitors to the state.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Barron River Craig Crawford:

“We know that the employment market in Cairns is tight and employers are looking for skilled workers now.

“Our Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is helping address that by training the next generation.

“So if you’re thinking about getting into the workforce, or changing careers, get involved with our Skilling Queenslanders for work program.

“There are training organisations here in Cairns that will help you get the skills you need and there are employers waiting for you.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland African Communities Council Social Affairs Coordinator Edwin Lubari:  

"We are incredibly excited about the outcome of our application to the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, which will help launch our Fun, Learn, Engage and Work (FLEW) program.

“The support from the Queensland Government will empower us to deliver tailored training that takes into account sociocultural, language barriers impacting our community training and educational outcomes.

“This funding will help us to provide access to training and educational opportunities within our community, promoting inclusivity, and empowering every individual toward sustainable growth and success."

34 organisations in Brisbane and Ipswich will receive grants, including:

• Kurbingui Youth Development Limited, ‘Kurbingui Traineeships’ project – employing up to 30 Indigenous job seekers with personal experience in mental health, alcohol, and other drug-related issues. Supported by more than $710,000 in funding, participants will be employed as trainees and complete a Certificate I in Construction or Certificate I in Workplace Skills on-the-job, with additional training including First Aid, Working safely at heights and confined spaces.
• Sisters Inside Inc, ‘Work Pathways Program’ project – supporting up to 30 women impacted by the legal system in a more than $205,000 funded project to undertake a Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways and equipping participants with foundation skills and real-life hospitality work experience through their social enterprise, Barista Sistas coffee cart.
• Community Living Association Incorporated, ‘The Re-Gen Project’ project – employing up to 30 disadvantaged job seekers, including those with an intellectual disability, migrants and refugees as trainees. Supported with more than $636,000 in funding to receive individual assistance to undertake a paid work placement while completing a Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management and gain skills relevant to local employers in the horticulture sector.

22 organisations in Far North Queensland will receive grants, including:

• Anglicare North Queensland’s Pathology Blood Collectors Needed project – assisting up to 30 job seekers to complete a Certificate III in Pathology Collection, including 35 hours of vocational placement with recognised pathology service provider Sullivan Nicolaides. Supported by more than $149,000 in funding, participants will also complete Anglicare’s in-house training for COVID-19 Infection Control, Understanding and Avoiding Workplace Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Bullying and Cultural Competence.
• Torres Strait Regional Authority’s Fishing for our Future project – assisting up to 42 First Nations job seekers to undertake training related to the critical fisheries sector in the Torres Strait region. Supported by more than $400,000 in funding, participants will complete either the Wild Harvest Diver Skill Set, Fish Processor Induction Skill Set or Fishing Operator Skill Set, with a proportion also completing training in fisheries management and policy.
• Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation’s Jabalbina Skills Training Program – employing up to 10 First Nations job seekers from the Mossman Gorge and Wujal Wujal areas to complete a Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management on-the-job. Supported by more than $308,000 in funding, participants will undertake work on the Mossman Botanic Garden project. Trainees will be provided with transport assistance for the duration of the project, and a local Eastern Kuku Yalanji elder will provide mentorship services during and post project.

Seven organisations in Central Queensland will receive grants, including:

• Community Solutions Group’s Community Careers project – assisting up to 45 job seekers in Mackay to acquire skills for employment in a variety of residential and community service settings. Supported by more than $153,000 in funding, participants will undertake a Certificate III in Individual Support, with wrap-around support including literacy and numeracy assistance, life skills, and digital literacy workshops.
• Innovative Disability Employment and Liaison Placements Association’s Women in Warehousing project – assisting up to 15 women to complete a Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations, to address industry demand in the Mackay area. Supported by more than $96,000 in funding, participants will also be given the opportunity to acquire a forklift licence and general construction induction training card, and will be offered first aid training.
• Multicultural Australia’s Planting the Seed project– employing up to 26 job seekers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to undertake a Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. Supported by $641,000 in funding, trainees will engage in variety of work regenerating the Yeppen Lagoon and adjacent land, and propagating plants at Kershaw Gardens Council Nursery.
• Five Bridges’ Pathway to Driving: Central Queensland project – assisting up to 64 job seekers to gain skills required for work in the transport sector. Supported by more than $244,000 in funding, project participants – primarily from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds – will undertake a Certificate III in Driving Operations, while receiving associated support, including for driver licence application and costs.
• Gladstone Area Group Apprentices’ Ignite Your Opportunities project – employing up to 16 job seekers to undertake a Certificate I in Workplace Skills (Business) or Hospitality. Supported by more than $275,000 in funding, trainees are hosted with community organisations in Gladstone and Rockhampton to support community events. Work activities will include administration, event management, and food preparation.

Nine organisations in the Darling Downs South West region will receive grants, including:

• Toowoomba International Multicultural Society’s Same Sky, Different Clouds project – assisting up to 36 disadvantaged job seekers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Supported by more than $143,000 in funding, participants will embark on new learning pathways – gaining literacy, numeracy and digital skills to transition to entry level jobs.
• Southern Downs Industry Education Association’s SDIEA Cert III Early Childhood Education and Care 2024 project – assisting up to 10 job seekers in the Warwick region to gain employment in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector. Supported by $34,000 in funding, participants will obtain a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, while receiving individualised training and support plans, job preparation and ongoing post participation support.
• Goondiwindi Silo Inc’s Get Set 4 Work project – assisting up to 16 young job seekers aged 15-19 years old to undertake a Certificate II in Workplace Skills. Supported by more than $71,000 in funding, the project targets industries with anticipated growth for work placement and ongoing employment opportunities, assisting participants to achieve industry specific training as required.

17 organisations delivering projects on the Gold Coast will receive grants, including:

• Vibe Care Ltd’s Break the Chains project – assisting up to 40 people transitioning from prison and people overcoming addiction and life-controlling issues, to complete a Certificate I in Construction or Certificate II in Community Services. Supported by more than $126,000 in funding, additional training will also be provided for participants to obtain a forklift licence or first aid certificate.
• Raba Urban Farm Cooperative’s Raba Urban Farm Growing The Future project – employing up to 20 job seekers to complete a Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management while undertaking ecological restoration works, and learning about organic farming techniques and First Nations practices at the Raba Urban Farm at Mudgeeraba. Supported by more than $638,000 in funding, trainees will also undertake training in first aid, agricultural chemical distribution and control, and construction-related safe work practices. 
• Multicultural Families Organisation’s Constructing Jobs on the Gold Coast project – employing up to 12 culturally and linguistically diverse job seekers, to undertake a Certificate I in Construction. Supported by more than $294,000 in funding, over a period of 18 weeks trainees will undertake training while renovating the CrossLife Baptist Church and adjacent emergency accommodation building.

10 organisations in the Moreton Bay region will receive grants, including:

• Redcliffe Area Youth Space Incorporated, ‘Causes and Connections’ project – employing up to 32 youths between 15 and 24 years to complete a Certificate I in Workplace Skills, this project has received more than $669,000 in funding. Trainees will acquire retail, hospitality, business, and administration skills through learning various administrative and event management activities within their four social enterprises.
• Bribie Island Rd Saddle Club Inc – employing up to 15 trainees to complete a Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management and a general construction induction training card, this project received more than $463,000 in funding. Trainees will work on conservation, ongoing ground repairs and creek restoration around Bribie Island Road Island Road Saddle Club.
• Challenge Employment and Training Limited – employing up to 30 job seekers as trainees to undertake a Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, or Certificate I in Construction and Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways to be delivered around Woodford. Supported by more than $623,000 in funding, the trainees will gain experience in propagation and onsite seed collection, invasive weed removal and control, nursery maintenance, revegetation and establishment of an Indigenous bushfood and medicinal garden and Art gardens.

16 organisations in North Queensland will receive grants, including:

• Anglicare North Queensland Limited’s Youth Opportunity Program project – assisting up to 40 young Indigenous people, aged 15-24 years to obtain Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation, while gaining necessary skills for employment. Supported by more than $426,000 in funding, participants will undertake practical work activities and gain exposure to local workplaces through working on community-based projects.
• Energy Skills Queensland’s Tracking for Employment Townsville project – assisting up to 42 adult job seekers (25 years and over) to undertake a Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure. Supported by $134,000 in funding, the vocational training will support participants to obtain employment in rail infrastructure construction and maintenance.
• Townsville City Council’s Grow to Give project – which will employ up to 30 disadvantaged job seekers as trainees for 24 weeks, undertaking either a Certificate I in Construction, Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management or Certificate I in Workplace Skills. Supported by $782,000 in funding, trainees will gain practical skills enhancing council facilities, revegetating and regenerating nature reserves, and building and upgrading sporting and recreational facilities.

12 organisations in the Wide Bay region will receive grants, including:

• Gidarjil Development Corporation Limited, ‘Gin Gin Nature Trail and Streetscape Rejuvenation’ project – employing up to 20 First Nationsr people as trainees to undertake a Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. Supported by more than $620,000 in funding, trainees will undertake project works in partnership with several community organisations, focused on regeneration of the ecosystem, weed control, pest control, re-vegetation, seed collection, and plant propagation, waterway regeneration, development of tourist facilities, fencing, track construction and maintenance of walking tracks.
• Impact Community Services Limited, ‘Future Skillz 2.4’ project – supporting up to 30 youths aged between 15 and 19 to complete either a Certificate III in Individual Support, Certificate II or III in Hospitality, or a Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways, this project has received over $134,000 in funding. Job seekers will receive customised support to align to personal circumstances, training needs and career goals to build personal resilience to gain employment.
• Skill Centred Queensland Inc, ‘Bus-I-Ness Community Champions’ project – employing up to 21 job seekers as trainees to complete a Certificate I in Workplace Skills. Supported by more than $473,000 in funding, trainees will gain skills and experience to equip them for entry level employment opportunities in the business industry.
• Skill Centred Queensland Inc, ‘GoldCity Construction Crew’ project – employing up to 20 trainees to undertake a Certificate I in Construction, this project has received over $469,000 in funding. Whilst completing their qualification, trainees will undertake basic construction, maintenance, and repairs across several local community organisations.

Further information:

• With an annual investment of $80 million, Skilling Queenslanders for Work funds community organisations to deliver training and support programs to up to 15,000 unemployed or underemployed Queenslanders.
• There are eight programs that make up the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative: Community Work Skills, Work Skills Traineeships, Ready for Work, Get Set for Work, Youth Skills, Community Foundation Skills, Skill Up, and First Start. 
• Skilling Queenslanders for Work supports the 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 more information – including a full list of projects funded in Round 2 – visit www.qld.gov.au/skillingqueenslanders or call 1300 369 935.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Courtney Thompson - 0433 585 570