The Palaszczuk Government has approved the first $40 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, which focuses on young people and will help up to 15,000 disadvantaged Queensland job seekers over the next 12 months.
The program’s focus is on young people, including those in and transitioned from out-of-home care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, at-risk youth, as well as people with disability, the government said in a media statement.
The initiative will also target mature-age job seekers, women re-entering the workforce, recently released prisoners, veterans and ex-service personnel, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Round 1 funding supports a number of programs that include children known to Youth Justice Services, Queensland Corrective Services, or the Queensland Police Service, or who are assessed at-risk of offending.
Round 1 project providers that were successful include yourtown, Reclink Australia, Carers Queensland, Energy Skills Queensland, and Career Employment Australia.
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice Di Farmer said the new program is a flagship Palaszczuk Government training and employment initiative changing people’s lives.
“We know this initiative is helping Queenslanders as 76 per cent of participants are in work or further training 12 months after exiting a Skilling Queenslanders for Work program,” Farmer stated.
The minister noted that the initial $40 million round one financing for 2023-24 will support a variety of programs, giving participants skills in everything from crocodile management and conservation to rail safety, elderly care, and trade training in construction and hospitality.
Meanwhile, Career Employment Australia CEO Jason Gardiner said their collaboration with the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program had given the organisation a personal experience with the life-changing impact of community-driven training programs.
“By equipping unemployed and disadvantaged individuals with valuable skills, we’re not only fostering economic growth but also empowering communities to thrive,” Gardiner remarked.
Minister Farmer urged organisations to get online and apply for the $40 million Round 2 funding by visiting this link.
