A STATE government scheme for businesses to hire young and long-term unemployed staff has been boosted to encourage businesses to take on a mature-aged employee with payments of up to $20,000.
Redlands MP Kim Richards said the incentive to hire mature-aged employees would have a positive impact on local businesses.
“The experience and knowledge that our mature-aged Queenslanders can bring to businesses in the thriving and busy south east is invaluable,” she said.
“Back to Work encourages employers to have the confidence to take on a new employee, creating more jobs for Queensland while supporting local businesses.”
Employment Minister Shannon Fentiman said it was programs like Back to Work that supported businesses to grow.
“We know that some people are still struggling to find the right opportunity and that’s what makes (it) so successful,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Since the ... government was elected, this program has supported more than 10,000 Queenslanders to get a job.”
The $27.5 million Back to Work South East Queensland program is designed to give businesses the confidence to employ long-term unemployed, unemployed youth (15 to 24-year-olds) and mature aged (55 plus) job seekers in the south-east.
This program aims to facilitate unemployed jobseekers into the labor market.
Places it is offered include Redlands, Logan, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley and Somerset.
Each eligible employer may claim a maximum of five applications.
Once a total of five payment applications have been approved, no further applications can be accepted.
Employer support payments are:
# $15,000 for a job seeker previously unemployed 52 weeks or more;
# $20,000 for a job seeker previously unemployed (minimum four weeks) and aged 15 to 24 years;
# $20,000 for a job seeker previously unemployed (minimum four weeks) and aged 55 years or over.
More information about the program is at backtowork.initiatives.qld.gov.au or call 13 74 68.
