BRISBANE, Queensland, Sept. 15 -- The Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet issued text of the following statement:

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training

The Honourable Ros Bates

* Next funding round now open for the Crisafulli Government's Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. * Thousands more Queenslanders will have the opportunity to build skills and secure jobs through simpler programs, less red tape and stronger links between training and local workforce needs. * TheCrisafulli Government is rebuilding Queensland's skilled workforce pipeline after Labor's decade of decline created dire skills shortages across the State.

The Crisafulli Government is delivering opportunities for thousands more Queenslanders to get jobs and undergo training to further their careers through the next round of the refreshed Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

Labor's decade of decline created dire skills shortages in every part of the State, leaving employers struggling to find workers and too many Queenslanders without a clear pathway into a job.

The Crisafulli Government has strengthened the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program by cutting red tape, expanding the reach of programs and making it easier for organisations to get funding to get Queenslanders into the workforce.

The program's first round for 2026-27 delivered skills and training opportunities for 5,200 Queenslanders by backing 166 projects across the State - three quarters of which are being run in the regions.

The first round was backed by $46.7 million in funding to help unemployed and underemployed Queenslanders gain the skills, qualifications and hands-on experience needed to get into work and advance their careers.

Applications for the second round are open until 5pm on Thursday October 22, with funding available under three core programs:

* Community Work Skills * Work Skills Traineeships * Get Set for Work

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the Crisafulli Government was making it easier for Queenslanders to gain the skills they need for work.

"Labor's legacy was skills shortages in industries and regions all over the State, but we are turning the tide on Labor's failures and helping Queenslanders get into work," Minister Bates said.

"We're backing organisations who know what their industries need, cutting red tape to make it easier to apply for funding and simplifying Skilling Queenslanders for Work to make sure jobseekers and organisations can focus on what's important.

"I encourage community organisations, training providers, councils and industry partners to apply and help create more job opportunities for Queenslanders in their communities."

To learn more about Skilling Queenslanders for Work, visit:

https://dtet.qld.gov.au/sqw

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Hill, 0408 962 453

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.