A Palaszczuk Government program to encourage employers to employ more Queenslanders has reached a milestone with more than 13,000 people assisted into work across regional Queensland
Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said the successful Back to Work program has assisted more than 100 employers in the Mt Isa region to employ over 300 Queenslanders who have struggled to get a job.
"We know that some people are still struggling to find the right opportunity and that’s what makes Back to Work so successful," Ms Fentiman said.
"We have been committed to getting improving job prospects for Queenslanders, especially in our regions and this is a milestone to be celebrated."
"Our investments in programs like Back to Work and Skilling Queenslanders for Work are helping Queenslanders get into work and drive our fast growing economy."
"Giving businesses the confidence to be able to take on new employees will support them to grow and create more jobs."
"Mount Isa business, Phoenix Security Services, has employed several people with the support of Back to Work funding," Minister Fentiman said.
"Business owner, Glenda Pastoor, is also one of Queensland’s 100 Faces of Small Business. Glenda is a successful Indigenous businesswoman who started out working for the business she now owns."
Ms Pastoor said Back to Work funding has supported her to provide work to some remarkable individuals who love their job and are great assets to her team.
"Back to Work funding has supported some people who were doing it tough. Finding work and being able to access training has opened up new possibilities for my employees both professionally and personally and has made a positive impact on the business," Ms Pastoor said.
The Palaszczuk Government recently announced an extension to the Back to Work Regional program until 2020.
"I encourage any employer out there, if you are considering taking on someone new for your business, then see if you are eligible for the Back to Work program."
Back to Work Regional Queensland
Support payments* currently available for eligible employers of up to:
- $10,000 for hiring an unemployed worker (a person unemployed for 4 weeks up to 52 weeks)
- $15,000 for hiring a long-term unemployed worker (a person unemployed for 52 weeks or more)
- $20,000 for hiring an unemployed young jobseeker aged 15 – 24 years (a person unemployed for a minimum of 4 weeks)
*Subject to funding availability. Eligibility criteria apply. Figures quoted are for eligible full-time jobs. Eligible part -time jobs attract 75 per cent of the full payment.
Employers are encouraged to visit www.qld.gov.au/backtowork or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) f
