The Palaszczuk Government will support more than 140 disadvantaged Gladstone jobseekers into work as part of its flagship employment and training program with $70.1 million in funding announced today.
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Minister for Water and Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program was an important part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
“Since 2015, 40,300 Queenslanders have secured a job as a direct result of Skilling Queenslanders for Work and 73 per cent of participants find work or take on further training after exiting the program,” Minister Butcher said.
“As we continue to grow our economy, investing in skills and training will help even more locals find the right job.
“This round will see five local community organisations share in more than $2 million of funding to train local jobseekers in everything from primary industry to hospitality.”
Mr Butcher said the funded organisations have tailored their projects to connect local jobseekers with the employers and industries that are looking for more workers in their area.
“We’re continuing to back the well-known and loved Gladstone Sea Ranger program run by the Gidarjil Development Corporation with funding secured to support a further 20 trainees,” he said.
“Other recipients include Intergreat Queensland with projects in hospitality and community services and construction traineeships through Roseberry Queensland.
“Apprentices and Trainees Queensland will also get jobseekers on the tools with the Ignite Your Opportunities program, offering a certificates in Workplace Skills and Construction.”
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the successful organisations displayed a demonstrated commitment to supporting people in their communities to find secure work.
“Many also support Queenslanders that face unique challenges when applying for work, including young or mature-age jobseekers, people from different cultural backgrounds or whose first language isn’t English, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, among others,” the Minister said.
“Each project offers a range of support to prepare Queenslanders for finding a job, with assistance covering the job application process, general life skills and industry specific training up to a certificate III level available.
“Skilling Queenslanders for Work is one of the most successful programs of its kind in the country, which is why the Palaszczuk Government is permanently funding it with a commitment of $320 million over four years.”
Jobseekers interested in joining a project can check their eligibility online and find their nearest projects at www.desbt.qld.gov.au/training/sqw.
The next funding round will open for applications in February 2022 for projects to get underway from July 2022.
