The Queensland Government’s expanded Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative will commit more funds for community-based projects to tackle unemployment throughout the state in 2018–19.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman have opened the next funding round while visiting the RSPCA Black Cat Café in Wacol, where six job seekers will complete paid Work Skills Traineeships thanks to the initiative’s latest funding round.
“Skilling Queenslanders for Work is producing fantastic results around the state and we are honouring our election commitment to boost its budget to $80 million in 2018–19, an extra $20 million from its previous funding, while also extending the initiative for another two years into 2020–21 with a further $160 million,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Eligible organisations have until 5pm on Thursday 12 April to develop and submit their Skilling Queenslanders for Work project applications.
“To the end of January 2018, more than 13,500 people have found jobs thanks to Skilling Queenslanders for Work funded projects and traineeships and Minister Fentiman announced $30.66 million in January for 161 new projects that will kick off in the next few months.
“The BUSY RSCPA Traineeships project was part of that of that latest round, with $118,700 committed to employ six people onto paid Work Skills Traineeships, where they will gain hands on experience at the Black Cat Café while also studying for a Certificate I in Hospitality.”
Minister Fentiman said community-based, not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding through the online SQW apps portal, available from www.training.qld.gov.au. Local councils and school Parents and Citizens’ or Parents and Friends’ associations are also eligible to apply for funding under some Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs.
“Skilling Queenslanders for Work is generating fantastic results around the state, giving Queenslanders who have struggled to find a job, the skills and training they need to find work and build a career,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Our investment in programs like this is a shining example of the Palaszczuk Government’s focus on jobs for Queenslanders with more than 13,000 people finding jobs thanks to the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
“I’m excited to see the plans, training and support that organisations come up with to assist job seekers in their community to gain the confidence, skills, nationally recognised qualifications or experience that can lead to new employment opportunities and grow our economy.”
Minister Fentiman said Skilling Queenslanders for Work had committed more than $205 million over the past three years to assist 40,412 people across the state, with projects running here in the South East all the way to the Torres Strait and Western Queensland.
“BUSY At Work has been funded to deliver the BUSY RSPCA Traineeships along with 16 other projects going back to our first funding round in 2015–16. They’ve run projects on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Emerald and a number of areas in Brisbane and Ipswich,” she said.
“Three Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs, Get Set for Work, Ready for Work and Youth Skills, aim to assist young people. This is an important focus because assisting young job seekers towards a positive and productive career path can create long-term benefits for them, their families, their local communities and the state as a whole.
“The other programs that are part of this funding round, Community Work Skills and Work Skills Traineeships, can assist people from a variety of backgrounds to address the employment barriers they face.
“In 2018–19 veterans and ex-service personnel join the list of groups that projects are encouraged to focus on. The others are mature age people, young people including those in or transitioned from out-of-home care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, migrants and refugees from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability and women re-entering the workforce.”
This is the first of two funding rounds for 2018–19 and the SQW apps portal has program guidelines, application templates, tools and guides to assist with the process. Organisations should also contact their local Department of Employment, Small Business and Training office to discuss their proposed applications.
BUSY At Work Managing Director Paul Miles said BUSY is delighted to be delivering the Skilling Queenslanders for Work projects again.
“This initiative is such an important program that has proven itself over many years to make a huge difference to Queensland job seekers.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work also awarded $40,000 through its First Start program for the RSPCA to employ two trainees. One trainee is based at Wacol and studying for a Certificate II in Animal Services and the second is based in Moorooka and studying for a Certificate III in Retail.
Skilling Queenslanders for Workfunds skills development, training and job opportunities for unemployed, disengaged or disadvantaged Queenslanders through a suite of targeted skills and training programs.
For further information visit www.training.qld.gov.au/sqw or call 1300 369 935.
Ranging from 2 to 12 weeks, BUSY At Work is delivering the following Skilling Queenslanders for Work Training Courses in Brisbane CBD, Ipswich, and Gold Coast. Click on the respective link for more information and details on how to apply.
Rising Stars – Certificate II in Hospitality – Brisbane CBD
Rising Stars – Certificate II in Retail – Ipswich – COMPLETED
Get BUSY, Get Fit – Get Ready for Work – Gold Coast
Women in Construction – Certificate I in Construction – Yatala
