The Queensland Government has committed almost $3.1 million from its Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to assist 461 people from Far North Queensland.
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:
- Anglicare North Queensland’s GS4W(4870) 2023/2024 project, which will assist 42 people thanks to $283,000.
- Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre’s Building Your Future Visions project, which will assist 40 people thanks to $162,700.
- Skill360 Australia’s Mareeba Taste of Trades project, which will assist 24 people thanks to $107,900.
- Northern Joblink’s HiViz Women in Construction project, which will assist 12 people thanks to $61,600.
Member for Barron River Minister Craig Crawford, Member for Cook Cynthia Lui, Member for Cairns Michael Healy and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt are delighted to see funding go towards these local projects in the latest round.
“I look forward to seeing the residents of my electorate upskill to be able to provide necessary support such as first aid,” Mr Crawford said.
“I am glad to see these local projects in my electorate of Cook are providing opportunities in multiple industries including businesses, hospitality, community services, health construction and more,” Ms Lui said.
“As the city, and region of Cairns recovers from COVID, there are many opportunities, and the government’s investment, and industry support reflects its eagerness to ensure Queenslanders are able to take them up,” Mr Healy said.
Mr Pitt said that he is pleased that the program will provide support to engage Yarrabah residents in active learning which will fill identified skills gaps in the community.
“Training eight new Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Indigenous Rangers will develop job ready Rangers by building on their connection with country and further support authentic Indigenous tourism offerings at East Trinity.”
“The program will also engage 18 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander placements in Primary Health Care in Yarrabah, providing culturally appropriate health support to the community”.
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.”
