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The Palaszczuk Government will support more than 620 disadvantaged Sunshine Coast jobseekers into work with $70.1 million in funding for its flagship employment and training program announced today.

Member for Nicklin Robert Skelton said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program was an important part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“Since 2015, 40,300 Queenslanders have secured a job as a direct result of Skilling Queenslanders for Work and 73 per cent of participants find work or take on further training after exiting the program,” Mr Skelton said.

“As we continue to grow our economy, investing in skills and training will help even more locals find the right job.

“This round will see 16 local community organisations share in $3.42 million of funding to train local jobseekers in everything from primary industry to hospitality.”

Mr Skelton said the funded organisations have tailored their projects to connect local jobseekers with the employers and industries that are looking for more workers in their area.

“I’m really proud of Nambour’s own ECOllaboration, which has secured funding for its Blue Heart Green Heart Futures project,” he said.

“The project will support 22 trainees towards a Certificate 1 in Conservation and Ecosystem Management while helping them overcame the barriers they face in finding a job.”

Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt said 45 local jobseekers will be supported by the Solution Network Australia Foundation’s Digital Business Mastery project.

“We know the digital era has changed the skillset for employment success dramatically, but that shouldn’t mean anyone gets left behind,” Mr Hunt said.

“Digital Business Mastery will help its participants overcome this barrier to be tech-savvy and job-ready.”

Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the successful organisations displayed a demonstrated commitment to supporting people in their communities to find secure work.

“Many also support Queenslanders that face unique challenges when applying for work, including young or mature-age jobseekers, people from different cultural backgrounds or whose first language isn’t English, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, among others,” the Minister said.

“Each project offers a range of support to prepare Queenslanders for finding a job, with assistance covering the job application process, general life skills and industry specific training up to a certificate III level available.

“Skilling Queenslanders for Work is one of the most successful programs of its kind in the country, which is why the Palaszczuk Government is permanently funding it with a commitment of $320 million over four years.”

Jobseekers interested in joining a project can check their eligibility online and find their nearest projects at .

The next funding round will open for applications in February 2022 for projects to get underway from July 2022.