Progressive coal royalties support Queenslanders to upskill, including in ECEC careers

Royalties from progressive coal mining are supporting up to 15,000 vulnerable Queensland jobseekers to get on the job training through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program.

Skilling Queenslanders for Work supports Queenslanders to gain the skills, qualifications and experience needed to secure jobs and remain in the workforce in a variety of sectors and industries, including early childhood education and care (ECEC). 

The first round of funding in 2024-25 will invest $44.6 million to support over 5,500 job seekers who may be experiencing social isolation, learning difficulties or mental health challenges to find meaningful work.

“For many, this will be the first formal qualification they’ll have ever gotten, and for some their very first job,” Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum said. 

In the first funding round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work the Migrant Centre Organisation Inc had five projects approved across the Gold Coast, which will assist up to 285 migrant and refugee job seekers to earn certificates in ECEC, Community Services, Health Administration, Health Services Assistance, Individual Support, School-Based Education Support, or Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways.

All told 94 organisations and 166 projects across Queensland will benefit from the funding. The initiative supports the Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024 – 2028 which outlines the Queensland Government’s plan to provide an accessible training system and ensure Queensland has the skilled workers it needs now and into the future.

The second Skilling Queenslanders for Work funding round for 2024-25 opens on 29 July 2024.

Visit www.qld.gov.au/skillingqueenslanders or call 1300 369 935 for further details.