Skilling Queenslanders for Work funds community organisations to deliver local training and employment projects, under 8 individual programs.

Programs

Community Work Skills assists disadvantaged Queenslanders to gain nationally recognised skills and qualifications up to a certificate III level.

Work Skills Traineeships employs disadvantaged Queensland job seekers for up to 6 months on projects that benefit the community. Participants will complete a Certificate I in Business, Conservation and Ecosystem Management, Construction, Hospitality or Retail Services.

Get Set for Work provides intensive employment and training assistance over a 12-month period to young, disengaged Queenslanders aged 15–19 years.

Ready for Work assists disadvantaged Queenslanders transition into the workforce by providing 6–8 week courses focused on job search assistance and training.

Youth Skills provides nationally recognised training and employment support for 15–24 year olds who are engaged with, or at risk of engaging with, Youth Justice Services or Queensland Corrective Services.

Community Foundation Skills assists disadvantaged Queenslanders with low-level language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) skills to gain the knowledge and confidence necessary to participate successfully in a modern knowledge economy.

Skill Up assists adults 25 years and older to upskill or reskill in entry level positions in high priority industries to maximise existing and future job opportunities.

First Start provides wage subsidies to local councils and community organisations to employ young people and disadvantaged job seekers in traineeships. The program allows job seekers to gain nationally recognised qualifications and at least 12 months employment as a trainee.

View the First Start guidelines for funding 2024–25 (PDF, 376KB) for more information.

Who can participate on a project?

Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) primarily targets Queensland residents who are:

• ineligible for Australian Government employment services or assistance; or 
• require complementary services because they have significant barriers to learning and employment; or 
• have accessed Australian Government services for more than six months and remain unemployed.

Key target groups for SQW include: 

• young people (15-24 years), including those in and transitioned from out-of-home care 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 
• mature age job seekers (45+ years) 
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds 
• people with disability 
• women re-entering the workforce 
• veterans, ex-Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families 
• recently released prisoners.

Participants must be:

• Queensland residents 
• aged 15 years or older 
• an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrant), temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on a pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen.

• Phone: 1300 369 935
• Email: training@desbt.qld.gov.au