Successful large scale projects announced
View the successful large scale projects from the 2023-24 funding round.
The Workforce Connect Fund is an initiative designed to increase investment in industry and community-led projects that address attraction, retention and participation issues within the workforce.
It aims to drive systemic, industry-wide change in relation to these issues to enhance workforce outcomes for employers, employees and job seekers.
The Fund is a key action of the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–32, developed to drive Queensland towards a strong and diverse workforce ready to seize today's jobs and adapt to future opportunities.
Funding
The Workforce Connect Fund provides grants for large, scalable projects delivered by industry peak bodies and community peak organisations to connect, develop and implement new and innovative strategies, services and/or mechanisms that support the attraction and retention of employees now and into the future.
Organisations proposing large-scale projects can apply for funding of up to $1 million each, with each project to be delivered over a maximum 24-month term.
Online case studies
Learn more about some of the successful projects from the 2022–23 funding round of the Workforce Connect Fund:
- Queensland's Car2Bus project is steering towards a diverse and skilled future workforce
- New program helps retail employers think and employ differently.
Large scale projects
Successful projects
- View the successful projects from the 2023–24 funding round.
- View the successful projects from the 2022–23 funding round.
Help and information
For all general enquiries for the Workforce Connect Fund, phone 1300 369 935 or email wcf@desbt.qld.gov.au.
Benefits of the Workforce Connect Fund
Support for local businesses
Employers within specific industries will benefit from large-scale projects completed under the Workforce Connect Fund by having greater access to resources such as:
- human resources support and advice
- new information technology platforms or systems
- new mentoring or coaching services.
Support for local jobseekers
Job seekers looking to enter a specific industry will benefit from large-scale projects delivered under the Workforce Connect Fund by having greater access to resources such as:
- specific pre-employment programs
- new industry work experience programs
- standardised entry level requirement materials for specific industries.
Connecting to funded projects
Successful projects announced in round 1 of the fund commenced delivery in early 2023.
Connecting businesses
A network of industry workforce advisors will be established to support employers to:
- address gaps in workforces and connect to potential sources of labour supply
- connect employers with other Department of Trade, Employment and Training programs, including the Workforce Connect Fund.
Once projects are approved, they will be published to this website and employers will also be able to make direct contact with funded project contacts.
Connecting job seekers
Approved projects will be published to this website and job seekers will be able to make direct contact with funded project contacts.
Funded organisations will partner with a number of organisations that will also assist job seekers connect to funded projects. Partner organisations will also be published to this website.
Contact us
Email wcf@desbt.qld.gov.au or phone 1300 369 935 for enquiries about the Workforce Connect Fund.