The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments are investing $64.6 million to help First Nations Queenslanders develop skills, access training and build careers, with funding unlocked through the National Skills Agreement.
Delivered through Queensland's Closing the Gap bilateral implementation plan, the funding will help strengthen local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations - including community-controlled and First Nations owned RTOs - to back First Nations people, local communities and businesses.
The plan will lift training participation and completions, grow employment and economic opportunities, and connect people - including regional and remote Queensland - to careers in areas of workforce demand.
The funding includes:
- $29 million to back Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to deliver local training and employment pathways aligned to workforce needs - including support for young people to move from school into training and work, particularly in regional and remote areas.
- $29 million to grow the First Nations Vocational Education and Training (VET) workforce, including:
- $15 million to skill Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for jobs in priority industries such as construction, health, tourism, energy and resources, marine and agriculture; and
- $14 million for workforce initiatives across the training sector, delivering more trainers and assessors, stronger student mentoring, and better completions and retention in training and employment programs.
- $6 million for a business support program to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander training organisations grow and succeed.
Initiatives will be co-designed and prioritised with the First Nations Training, Employment and Business Consultative Committee, industry, employers, mainstream providers and other First Nations organisations.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
"By backing First Nations led training organisations and growing the First Nations VET workforce, we're building a more inclusive skills system that sets Queensland up for the future.
"Access to training can transform lives, and by working in partnership with First Nations people we will achieve better outcomes for them, for communities and for businesses across Queensland.
"Closing the Gap in vocational education and training is a priority enshrined in our Government's landmark National Skills Agreement with the states and territories - this is real investment in skills in action."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Finance, Trade Employment and Training, Ros Bates:
"The $64.6 million investment demonstrates the Australian and Queensland Government's commitment to closing the gap.
"The Crisafulli Government and Albanese Government have partnered to deliver education, employment and economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Queensland.
"This joint funding package will empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders to access the skills and training they need to thrive within their local communities and will deliver the skills Queensland needs for the jobs of tomorrow."
