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MORE than 8000 unemployed Queenslanders will be eligible for work skills training, as the Palaszczuk Government restores its Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
Training and Skills Minister Yvette D'Ath says 200 organisations across the state will share in $26 million through the first round of funding.
"Labor's Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative will help people into training so they can better access paid employment," D'Ath says.
"Under the program, people will be able to access the skills and training they need to get back into the workforce, to start a career, provide for their families and to build a stronger community."
D'Ath says the investment was the start of a $240 million four-year initiative aimed at helping up to 32,000 unemployed, under-employed or disadvantaged people to gain the skills and training needed to enter the workforce.
"We want to do what we can to support Queenslanders back into work," she says.
"Skilling Queenslanders for Work puts communities in the driving seat through a government partnership to grow local employment opportunities, encourage greater social inclusion and assist people needing extra support to enter the workforce.
"This initiative is specifically tailored for local programs that support disadvantaged Queenslanders, including young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, mature-aged job seekers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and long-term unemployed people to find a path into work."
A Deloitte Access Economics study found Skilling Queenslanders for Work's previous initiative returned almost $8 to the economy for every $1 invested.
Unsuccessful first round funding applicants can apply for the next round now open until November 12.
Successful applicants this round include BoysTown, YMCA and Multicultural Community Centre's Pathways to Success.
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