$10.5 million for second Workforce Connect boost

Published Friday, 08 March, 2024 at 02:09 PM

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
The Honourable Lance McCallum

  • A $10.5 million second round of the Miles Government’s Workforce Connect Fund will deliver grants of up to $1 million to industry and community organisations to strengthen Queensland workplaces  
  • The Workforce Connect Fund is backing large-scale projects that boost staff attraction, retention and participation
  • The $25 million Workforce Connect Fund is part of the Miles Government’s Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-32

The $10.5 million second round of the Workforce Connect Fund is open for large-scale, job creating and staff retention projects worth up to $1 million.

Industry and community-led organisations with ideas for boosting staff attraction, retention and jobs could be eligible for funding under the Miles Government’s Workforce Connect initiative.  

A further $2 million in grants are available for small businesses to launch new human resources ideas to support staff needs.

The first round of Workforce Connect delivered $12.5 million to 16 organisations including Business Chamber Queensland for its ground-breaking Workforce Evolve project.

Workforce Connect Fund applications are open until 26 March at https://desbt.qld.gov.au/employment/workforce-connect-fund   

Quotes attributable to Employment, Small Business,Training and Skills Minister Lance McCallum:

“We are getting Queenslanders into good jobs quicker, and for growing businesses the Workforce Connect Fund is a game changer.

“The Miles Government is supporting organisations to build innovative, inclusive, resilient and skilled workforces.

“Workforce Connect is about connecting employers with Queenslanders who can help build strong, diverse workplaces but may have faced barriers to finding paid work.

“With more Queenslanders in jobs than ever before, Workforce Connect has never been more important for helping business find the right long-term staff and grow.”       

Quotes attributable to Business Chamber Queensland CEO Heidi Cooper:

“Queensland businesses consistently tell us workforce challenges are the most significant constraint on business growth.

“Through our partnership with the Queensland Government, we’ve developed a unique program that works with employers to address immediate workforce challenges as well as supporting businesses to evolve their hiring and retention strategies, so they have the workforce they need now and into the future.

“It means positive outcomes for employers and employees long-term.”

 

Media: 0427 475 089

 

This statement replaces the statement which was posted at 4:42pm Friday 1st March 2024.