OVER 600 Queensland employers, 383 employees and 632 jobseekers will benefit from a further $1.7 million in Queensland Government funding in the Growing Workforce Participation Fund.
Projects will be delivered by industry and community groups on Thursday Island, St George, Ipswich, Goondiwindi, Kingaroy and Townsville and parts of South East Queensland.
The successful projects will focus on supporting young people aged 15–24 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people living with a disability, and helping the long-term unemployed to find meaningful, secure employment.
Part of the Queensland Government’s successful Back to Work program, the Growing Workforce Participation Fund gives businesses the confidence to employ Queenslanders who have experienced a period of unemployment and helps jobseekers facing disadvantage in the workforce.
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the fund helps to connect business owners with workers.
“In 2022-23, the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training administered more than $135 million across various small business and skills pathways grants programs to support Queenslanders into good jobs,” she said.
“The broad range of grant funding programs and initiatives are estimated to have provided support or assistance to more than 44,600 workers or jobseekers.
“The Growing Workforce Participation Fund is another example of how we are helping good people get set for good jobs so they can enjoy our great lifestyle.”
The Back to Work program has incentive payments and other supports available to employers who hire an eligible previously unemployed Queenslander from a targeted group who has experienced a minimum period of unemployment directly prior to commencing work with them.
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