Helping older Sunshine Coast workers get back into the workforce is a key policy the LNP has announced.
LNP Shadow Minister for Employment and Small Business, Training and Skills Development and Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson said before COVID Queensland had the highest number of long-term jobseekers in the nation with 42,800 people out of work for 12 months or longer.
“The LNP’s $15.5 million plan to get mature age and long-term jobseekers back to work recognises that there are people who have great experience, skills and a need to work who also require help at this time to break back into the workforce,” Ms Simpson said.
The policy includes:
- $9 million for up-skilling and coordinating mature age and long-term jobseekers to get back to work
- $6 million for a work re-entry internship program for 600 mature age and long-term jobseekers
- $0.5 million for a state-wide Experience Counts campaign
“Older workers who never expected to be out of a job can find they face stigma when in fact they are highly motivated and bring significant skills and experience to the table. This is about breaking the stigma and helping remove barriers to employment,” Ms Simpson said.
“We have a plan to rebuild the Queensland economy and a stronger Sunshine Coast. Years before COVID Queensland had the worst long-term unemployment figures in Australia. Now Labor had no plan and no Budget to get Queenslanders working again.
Under Labor, there are 42,800 Queensland mature age and long-term jobseekers out of work – the highest of any state in Australia.
The funding will deliver a coordination program for jobseekers, support businesses to hire, and a state-wide Experience Counts campaign to promote the benefits of mature age and long-term jobseekers.
“Our plan includes a $9 million job match program to coordinate the placement of mature age and long-term jobseekers.
“We will provide the training that allows them to match their skills and interests with the needs of the labour market,” Ms Simpson said.
“An LNP Government will also provide a $6 million work re-entry internship program to help businesses give mature age and long-term jobseekers a go.
“The re-entry internship program will pay 100% of a jobseeker’s salary for the first month and 50% for the second month for 600 mature age and long-term jobseekers.
“When hiring a new employee, it’s not about age rather it’s about getting the right person to fit a business’ needs.”
