The Queensland Government’s Department of Employment, Small Business and Training recently awarded Apprentices and Trainees Queensland (ATQLD) $642,100.00 to provide 30 traineeships across Gladstone and Biloela through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work Project - Ignite Your Opportunities.  

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Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and local Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said because of the global economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, investment in jobs and training is key to economic recovery. “Queensland’s plan for economic recovery, at its heart, is centred around jobs, and this program has a track record in helping people find work.

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“A key part of the plan is to continue to invest in training, so Queenslanders have the skills for more jobs in more industries,” Mr Butcher said.

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Since the program began, 919 people have taken part in the program in Gladstone, with 593 of those going on to get a job or do more training.

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“I am thrilled that ATQLD have been successful in receiving funding to deliver Certificate I’s in Business and Construction,” Mr Butcher said.

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This Skilling Queenslanders for Work project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government.

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ATQLD Board Chairman, Peter Corones AM thanked the Queensland Government for their confidence in supporting ATQLD with their program.

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“The Board is proud of the success in winning the Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program. ATQLD has been instrumental in delivering these programs and others over their 34-year history. We are glad the business is again delivering this great program for the community,” Mr Corones said.

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This program will not only upskill Queenslanders it will provide much need support to not-for-profit causes in the Gladstone and Biloela communities.

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Chief Executive Officer of ATQLD, Michael Walz said, “we are looking forward to being able to provide 30 traineeships to the community, especially when so many people are struggling from the effects of Covid-19. We are excited to give people an opportunity to enter or re-enter the workforce or to upskill with this program.”

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This Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative represents a significant investment of $420 million over six years to support up to 54,000 Queenslanders into work.

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Skilling Queenslanders for Work focuses on developing an individual’s skills, supporting them to begin a learning pathway to a certificate III qualification, and providing direct assistance to those Queenslanders that need extra support to enter and stay in the workforce.

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Angie Wilmot, ATQLD’s Projects Coordinator, expressed how enthusiastic she is towards being able to help the community in this way.

“ATQLD is more than ready for the Project to start. We have worked hard on our submission and our plan to deliver this program, and we are rearing and ready to go,” Ms Wilmot said

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ATQLD has gained a reputation for commitment, performance and work ethic within industry and the communities we operate in across Queensland. Our business is a 34-year-old not-for-profit group-training-organisation specialising in recruiting, employing, and training Apprentices and Trainees to businesses across Queensland.