$20 million program to help women return to work

The Queensland government has announced a $20 million grant program to help up to 4000 women return to work after extended leave.

Under the Women’s Career Grants initiative, women who have spent time out of the workforce for reasons such as raising children, being a carer, or managing a relationship breakdown can apply for up to $5000.

This can be used to cover the costs of workwear, child care, training, recertification, relocation, tools or technology.

Minister for Women Fiona Simpson said the first tranche of grants would prioritise women who have been unemployed for more than six months and have faced significant hurdles in trying to re-enter the workforce.

“A lot of women, at various times in life, can have breaks from work, be it caring for children, caring for elderly or other unwell family members, or other cir***stances,” she said.

“It means women are more economically vulnerable than the average Queenslander.”

The first two years of the scheme will be delivered in partnership with Future Women, the organisation responsible for running the highly successful pre-employment program Jobs Academy.

Future Women founder Helen McCabe said the Women’s Career Grants initiative would actively promote industries with skills shortages.

“Skills are desperately needed in this economy – not just in Queensland, but across Australia,” she said.