Thursday, 18 November 2021

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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“As we continue to grow our economy, investing in skills and training will help even more locals find the right job.

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“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.”

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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.

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“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.

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“Other recipients include Intergreat Queensland with projects in hospitality and community services and construction traineeships through Roseberry Queensland.

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“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.”

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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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.”

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Jobseekers interested in joining a project can check their eligibility online and find their nearest projects at www.desbt.qld.gov.au/training/sqw.

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The next funding round will open for applications in February 2022 for projects to get underway from July 2022.

For further information visit www.qld.gov.au/skillingqueenslanders or call 1300 369 935. 

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