The state government is hailing its regional jobs program at getting local unemployed people back in a job in our region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
According to employment minister Grace Grace, almost a hundred jobseekers in North West Queensland are now back in employment thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s Back to Work regional jobs program.
“Already the $100 million Back to Work program has supported 48 North West Queensland employers to hire 94 local jobseekers,” Ms Grace said.
Already the $100 million Back to Work program has supported 48 North West Queensland employers to hire 94 local jobseekers.
- Grace Grace
“Local employers have so far received almost $441,000 in support payments, money they can use to help grow their business.”
Ms Grace said the $20,000 Back to Work Youth Boost was also proving to be successful, with 32 locals aged between 15 and 24 now in jobs.
“We’ve extended the $20,000 Youth Boost to October 31, and I want to encourage regional employers to take advantage of this great initiative,” she said.
Ms Grace said the Back to Work program has supported 1893 employers to hire 3471 workers in regional Queensland.
“There are a further 1494 applications pending approval,” she said.
The Back to Work program provides employer support payments for eligible employers who hire an unemployed worker.
The payments are $10,000 for an unemployed worker with $15,000 also available for the hire of a long term unemployed worker, who is considered to be someone out of work for 12 months or longer.
There is also $20,000 available for hiring a young jobseeker aged 15-24 until the end of October.
The ABS unemployment figures released last week showing the state’s April trend unemployment rate steady at 6.4 per cent.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the rate was lower than the 6.6 per cent inherited from the LNP government and the 6.7 per cent it hit for four months at the end of 2014.