Spotlight on success: Emerald Neighbourhood Centre
The Emerald Neighbourhood Centre’s ‘Get Set For Work’ project has supported nearly 200, young people aged 15–19 to complete a Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways, along with accredited training in areas such as food safety, responsible service of alcohol and gambling, first aid, CPR, barista skills and construction induction (White Card). Together, these qualifications give participants a competitive edge when applying for jobs.
Learning is hands-on and engaging. Activities have included furniture upcycling, polymer clay workshops, cooking classes, and running a pop-up coffee shop, where participants prepare and serve food and drinks.
The project’s impact speaks for itself. The Emerald Neighbourhood Centre has twice been named Central Queensland’s Community Training Initiative of the Year at the Queensland Training Award in 2022, 2023 and 2024, a testament to the dedication of staff, trainers and participants.
Round 2 of Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW)
If your organisation is ready to make a difference, we encourage you to apply for funding and be part of a program that delivers lasting outcomes for Queenslanders and their communities.
Applications to Skilling Queenslanders for Work Round 2 are now open, and will close at 5 pm, Thursday 9 October 2025.
What’s new in this round?
From August 2025, SQW is being delivered through a refreshed, streamlined program structure designed to make employment pathways clearer for participants and more responsive to the needs of local industry.
The Ready for Work and Skill Up programs have been integrated into an expanded Community Work Skills initiative. This change allows providers to:
- Offer flexible, locally designed training tailored to the unique needs of their community.
- Create clearer pathways from training to sustainable employment outcomes.
- Strengthen connections with local employers to ensure training reflects current workforce demand.
Participants will benefit from practical, targeted learning experiences that not only improve their confidence but also give them the skills employers are looking for right now.
Other Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs in Round 2 include:
- Work Skills Traineeships – paid employment as a trainee on community, construction and environmental projects, plus a nationally recognised qualification gained on-the-job.
- Get Set for Work – supporting young people aged 15–19 to transition into work or further study.
- Youth Skills – assisting disadvantaged young people engaged with Youth Justice or Queensland Corrections or Queensland Police Service to re-engage with training and employment.
- Community Foundation Skills – improving language, literacy, numeracy, digital and employability skills.
Each of these programs have been designed to create real-world opportunities that help participants build a sustainable future.
Why get involved?
By taking part in this round, your organisation could help people gain life-changing skills, while also building stronger connections with your local industry. This is a chance to deliver meaningful training, strengthen the workforce, and support the community in a tangible way.
Learn more about Skilling Queenslanders for Work.
Last updated 8 September 2025
