Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative
Responsible government
- Queensland
Fourth Action Plan actions
- Improve support and service system responses
- 17 Collaborate across services, sectors and workforces to ensure responses to women affected by domestic, family and sexual violence are coordinated, meet women’s needs, avoid women having to retell their story and promote their recovery.
What are we doing?
Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) represents a suite of skills and training programs that assist a range of targeted equity groups with skills development, nationally recognised training and job opportunities. Women returning to work and young people, including those in and transitioned from out-of-home care, are key target groups.
For participants experiencing domestic and family violence, SQW provides customised support in a safe community-based setting and represents a longer-term strategy leading to employment and financial independence. Broader social and support networks are also available on the project–based delivery model offered under SQW.
Projects can provide work experience alongside nationally recognised training; and job search and readiness skills including where to look for work, how to apply for work, help to understand employer expectations, resume preparation and writing, and job interview skills. Most community-based organisations also offer a period of post–participation support.
A key feature is the delivery of appropriate specialist or support services to address personal, health and social issues so disadvantaged participants can overcome identified barriers to learning and employment.
What have we achieved so far?
SQW continues to exceed milestones with the target of assisting 54,500 disadvantaged Queenslanders into work reached early, in October 2020, eight months earlier than anticipated.
As at 30 September 2021, $444.18 million has been committed to date under SQW with $415.14 million actual expenditure. State-wide, SQW has provided nationally recognised training, skills development and job opportunities to 71,012 people. To date, 64,339 people have been assisted under SQW with 39,847 gaining jobs.
Since 2015, 38 projects have identified as providing customised support to Queenslanders experiencing domestic or family violence.
What is next?
In June 2021, as part of the Queensland Government’s State Budget, this successful initiative was extended with a commitment of $320 million over four years, with $80 million ongoing permanent funding. The initiative will assist up to 15,000 disadvantaged Queenslanders each year into work through a suite of targeted skills and training programs.
This initiative will continue to provide training, skills development and employment based opportunities to women affected by domestic and family violence.
What difference will we make?
The Queensland Government expects to see that:
- There is an increased percentage of domestic and family violence victims who feel safe and supported to re-enter the workforce
- There is an increased percentage of participating organisations that report changes in policy and/or approach to domestic and family violence.