Since 2015, Skilling Queenslanders for Work has been changing lives – supporting more than 100,000 Queenslanders to gain the skills, confidence and experience they need to find jobs and build sustainable careers.
As of April 2025, more than 100,000 people have participated in the Queensland Government's flagship initiative via community-based projects that offer nationally recognised training, work experience, and job preparation. A total of 65,667 participants (as at April 2025) have secured long-term employment, while others have gone on to pursue further education or training, helping them achieve their career goals and contribute to thriving local communities.
A program that puts people first
At its heart, Skilling Queenslanders for Work is about creating opportunity—for everyone. The program works through locally driven, community-based projects that offer nationally recognised training, work experience and job readiness support.
Importantly, it's helping Queenslanders from all backgrounds overcome barriers to work, with strong outcomes across key groups:
- 57.3% of job outcomes were achieved by young people aged 15–24
- 15.2% were mature-aged job seekers (45 years and over)
- 52.1% were women
- 20.5% identified as a First Nations person
- 13.2% had a disability
- 20.3% came from non-English speaking backgrounds.
These outcomes reflect the program's strong focus on inclusive pathways to employment, and its success in opening doors for Queenslanders facing a variety of challenges.
From the paddock to a pay cheque: Sugarcane training drives results in Tully
One recent example of Skilling Queenslanders for Work in action is a 2024 training project in Tully aimed at addressing driver shortages in the sugar industry.
With $44,000 in Community Work Skills funding, Mackay Canegrowers, in partnership with regional CANEGROWERS groups and local training providers, delivered a haul-out training course to help job seekers step into high-demand roles.
The training supported 10 participants, including mature-aged job seekers, ex-defence personnel and people with disability, to gain hands-on skills in operating and maintaining sugarcane haul-out machinery.
All 10 participants completed the course and secured jobs for the 2024 harvest season – demonstrating the real-world impact of targeted, practical training delivered in partnership with local industry.
"This project gave me a real shot - hands-on training from people in the industry, not just textbooks. Now I've got a solid job, more time with my son, and a better work-life balance. I'd recommend it 100 per cent." - Nicholas Porter, 2024 haul-out participant.
Find out more
Whether you're a job seeker, community organisation or employer, there are many ways to connect with Skilling Queenslanders for Work.
Last updated 13 June 2025
