Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the program had issued two rounds of funding so far which had delivered on the Government’s election promise to revitalise frontline services.

“The 2014-15 funding of $10 million will create job-focused training, giving a minimum of 4,000 disadvantaged learners an opportunity to gain nationally recognised training,” Mr Langbroek said.

Mr Langbroek said Community Learning funding in the 2013–14 financial year supported 49 projects and more than 3,900 people.

“Well trained staff are an integral part of building a strong four pillar economy, which we promised at the last election,” he said.

“Our Government is cleaning up Labor’s mess by reforming the VET sector so that training will lead to real jobs and increased productivity.”

Mr Langbroek said around 60 per cent of program participants were women, and 30 per cent came from migrant backgrounds.

“The Multicultural Development Association in Brisbane has partnered with HELP Enterprises to support newly arrived migrants and refugees with training in business administration, and is working with local chambers of commerce to provide vital work experience,” he said.

“The Association held a ceremony yesterday for 10 graduates who had completed a certificate III in Business Administration under the Community Learning program. I am thrilled to learn some in the group have already secured jobs.

“Training in a community based setting is a less restrictive environment for people who’ve had challenges learning in school or more traditional institutional settings and this program ensures training is specifically tailored to individual Queenslander’s circumstances, abilities and needs.

“The Newman Government is proud to have helped change thousands of lives by giving Queenslanders the skills they need to secure work and build a bright future.”

He said the amount of cash available to organisations depended on the nature of the training, the assistance provided, and the number of participants in the project. Applications close on 31 March, and projects are required to start in the next financial year. More details are available at www.training.qld.gov.au/communitylearning

[ENDS] 28 February 2014

Media contact: Minister’s office 3237 1000