Best wishes for the return to school
I wish all the students, families, and educators in the Woodridge electorate a great 2023 school year. To our graduating 2022 students who are entering further training, apprenticeships or the workforce, good luck with your journey and next steps.
The state government wants to create world-class learning pathways for the young people of Logan, and support all the wonderful teachers, principals, and school staff that we are so fortunate to have locally.
Recent investments in education locally will give our students a running start.
Burrowes State School received storage room and flooring upgrades as well as the refurbishment of paint and amenities.
Woodridge State School has refurbished nine learning spaces, along with the $800,000 refurbishment of the school hall. Browns Plains State High has received upgrades to disabled amenities, including new hoists.
These improvements will make a real difference to our students as they return from a well-deserved break. I’m excited to see what our local students achieve over the course of 2023.
Story 2– Supporting Queenslanders back to work
The state government is committed to supporting all Queenslanders into work and training, including here in Logan.
That is why our government recently committed $31 million to the latest round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work, supporting over 5,200 job seekers across the state.
The initiative funds community-based organisations who tailor their programs to suit local conditions, understand where opportunities and local employer needs are.
Community-based support is offered to young people, mature-age job seekers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, women re-entering the workforce, Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans, recently released prisoners, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work also funds skills development, training, and job opportunities for unemployed, disengaged, or disadvantaged Queenslanders through a suite of targeted skills and training programs.
Since 2015, community organisations in the Woodridge electorate have received nearly $27.5 million in funding to assist around 3500 participants. This funding has supported programs led by local organisations like Yourtown, Multilink and YFS.
Woodridge has also led the way in positive outcomes for the programs, with the highest number of participants with a positive outcome of any Queensland state electorate in the 7 years since this program was re-introduced to Queensland.
We know this initiative can make a real difference. More than 46,600 people in the state have found jobs thanks to Skilling Queenslanders for Work.
76 per cent of participants find work or take on further training around 12 months after exiting a Skilling Queenslanders for Work program.
The state government is supporting business and jobseekers through the Back to Work program.
The Back to Work program is designed to give businesses the confidence to employ Queenslanders who have experienced a period of unemployment and help workers facing disadvantage in the labour market.
Incentive payments and other supports are available to employers who hire an eligible previously unemployed Queenslander from a vulnerable cohort who has experienced a minimum period of unemployment directly prior to commencing work with them.
The revitalised Back to Work program focuses on intensive support for jobseekers, employers, and their employees.
Across Logan, combined Back to Work programs have supported over 820 employees and over 450 employers with $9.7 million in funding.
This funding will have a life-changing impact for so many individuals and families across our community here in Logan.
I am proud to be a part of a government that is getting on with the job of helping more Queenslanders into work.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work supports the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032, which aims to attract, connect, and educate a thriving workforce to set our state up for success now and into the future.
Story 3: $6 million to support more kids into apprenticeships
The state government is committed to giving Queenslanders the skills needed for the jobs of the future and supporting high-quality training.
Up to 244 pre-apprentices across the state will benefit under the Queensland Government’s Group Training Organisation Pre-Apprenticeship Program in a steppingstone to a career in construction, engineering, or hospitality.
This program has a stronger focus on supporting underutilised cohorts who experience greater disadvantage to participating in the labour market.
It includes women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability and culturally and linguistically diverse people.
Through the extension of this program, Group Training Organisations will continue to support Queenslanders through a pre-apprenticeship pathway which will see these vital cohorts get the necessary supports to commence an apprenticeship.
For example, a Certificate I in Construction traineeship equips participants with the basic skills and pre-requisites to enter the construction industry.
During the 12-week program, participants will be able to expand their professional network and gain exposure to the industry, with the opportunity to transition into a full-time apprenticeship upon successful completion.
This includes learning basic health and safety methods and gaining a construction White Card.
As part of the work placement component of the program, participants will be placed with a suitable host employer where they will work across a range of construction activities, and gain insight into the various trade pathways available in the industry such as carpentry, electrical, civil construction and more.
Please contact my office if you would like more information on these programs, or any other Queensland Government or local matters.
