Cynthia Lui MP
Member for Cook
Media Release
The Palaszczuk Government has invested $6 million to create 400 new traineeship positions with local councils across the state.
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the new traineeships will be a welcomed opportunity for local jobseekers.
“This program gives people who have struggled to find a job, the opportunity to gain the skills and training they need to find work and build a successful career,” she said
“Providing employment and training opportunities for the Cook electorate will open doors to fantastic career opportunities.
Ms Lui said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work First Start initiative will provide Queenslanders with the opportunity to undertake a 12-month traineeship with local councils and community-based organisations.
”This program delivers fantastic results for young Queenslanders with 85 percent of First Start trainees and apprentices aged 15-24 years,” she said
“We know young Queenslanders need access to more training and employment opportunities and that’s what makes this initiative so successful.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said training opportunities are vital to Queensland’s strong job growth.
“Improving job prospects for Queenslanders will boost the local economy and help businesses to grow,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Since the First Start program re-commenced in 2015 we have invested more than $17 million to provide training and employment opportunities for 1,300 trainees in Queensland.”
Unity Water and 66 local councils have been successful in securing funding under the latest round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work First Start.
LGAQ chief executive Greg Hallam said it was pleasing the Association’s longstanding relationship with the Queensland Government through the delivery of the First Start program continued to show success.
“In times when it is difficult to invest in training, councils as large local employers stand up and invest in the skills of the young and not-so-young workers in their communities,” he said.
“Councils recognise the long-term benefits of investing in traineeships and apprenticeships to support their own workforces but also to ensure an ongoing source of skilled workers generally.”
“The Government deserves congratulations for its continued investment in the program.”
First Start is just one component in the $80 million allocated to Skilling Queenslanders for Work to provide training and support to a minimum 10,000 disadvantaged Queenslanders.
For further information visit www.training.qld.gov.au/sqw or call 1300 369 935.
For a list of recipients visit: www.training.qld.gov.au/firststart
ENDS
Media Contact: Inga Williams 0439 949 719
