• Over the next two years, $4 million in funding will be available under the Palaszczuk Government’s Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grant program.
• The program aims to create training and employment opportunities for up to 800 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• This program seeks to ensure First Nations Queenslanders are linked to qualifications which lead to good jobs in their communities.
• This new grant program is a key action under the Paving the Way – First Nations Training Strategy and aims to support and respond to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ local and community employment, and skills development needs.

Queensland’s Indigenous organisations are invited to apply for a grant to develop projects that address training and skills challenges or create job opportunities for Indigenous peoples in their communities.

Up to $250,000 is available to these organisations delivering Indigenous-led projects that respond to local training and workforce needs in remote communities, regional areas, and Southeast Queensland.

Up to $4 million will be available under the program until 30 June 2024.

The first two rounds of the program are now open and will close on 4 May 2023.

The guidelines for these grants have also been released today.

Quotes attributable to Training Minister Di Farmer:

“Queensland is leading the nation in job creation, and we want to make sure all Queenslanders have access to new and exciting opportunities,” Minister Farmer said.

“Our Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grant program will provide an opportunity for Indigenous-led projects to respond to local skills and employment challenges.

“Collaboration and connection to communities will be key to this program’s success and I encourage Indigenous organisations with strong local relationships and partnerships to develop creative solutions and apply.

“We know that jobs change lives and this program will help more Queenslanders develop skills, find meaningful work and contribute to their communities.”  

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

The Queensland Government’s $8.3 million Paving the Way – First Nations Training Strategy is a key commitment under the $200 million Future Skills Fund.

The projects will create opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples that are Indigenous led, responsive and community focused.

The grants program focuses on providing direct training and support to local First Nations people within their communities to ensure enduring pathways from training into employment within their local communities.

Paving the Way also supports the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-23 which seeks to ensure Queensland has trained people to strengthen our communities and keep the state at the forefront of new economic opportunities.

Paving the Way includes actions and initiatives to help drive job opportunities through Indigenous-led training and workforce solutions, skills and training pathways that meet local workforce needs, and cultural awareness skills and competency.

For more information or to apply for the Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grant visit: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/community-orgs/iwsdg

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Media contact – Nicola Field – 0497 940 285