Many Queenslanders have lost their jobs as a result of the shutdowns instigated to control the spread of COVID-19.

In West End, where we have high levels of employment in hospitality and the arts, the shut-down has hit many hard.

So, to assist people who are looking for jobs to connect with employers, the Queensland Government last week launched a new online portal called Jobs Finder Queensland.

When announcing the initiative, South Brisbane local member and Treasurer, Jackie Trad said:

“We know so many Queenslanders are doing it tough right now with thousands of businesses shutting their doors and workers losing their jobs or income because of COVID-19.

“Jobs Finder Queensland is an important first step in restoring opportunity to Queenslanders out of work and is just one way we are continuing to support Queensland jobs”.

Ms Trad said that the new online portal will allow those who are looking for work to provide information on their skills, location and work experience, and that information can then be matched to available jobs.

The portal also enables employers who are looking for staff to register those details.

“This initiative will bring employers seeking staff and workers seeking employment together,” Ms Trad said.

Ms Trad said that there is demand for workers a wide range of industries, including health care, agriculture, food production, transport, cleaning and mining, and a key focus of the program is on matching job-seekers with new jobs, especially those in areas of critical service delivery.

Jobs in agriculture are not always easy to get to, especially now we have constraints on travel, so the Government is working closely with the agricultural industry and the National Cabinet to maximise access to agricultural labour.

Free online training

The portal is easy to use, but if you don’t think you have the skills to fit the available jobs, the Government is also offering job seekers access to free online training courses.

The Jobs Finder Queensland portal includes access to nine free training courses in a range of valuable skill sets in areas such as food service, health and aged care, transport as well as mental health support.

“There will also be a range of free short courses on offer in areas such as digital literacy, cyber security and business which will be valuable for Queenslanders looking to upskill and increase their capabilities so they are better prepared to take up job opportunities when the economy recovers,” Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said.

Worker Assistance Taskforce

The Queensland Council of Union (QCU) is represented on the recently convened Worker Assistance Taskforce and has been consulted as part of development of this program.

Minister Fentiman said the next step for the Taskforce is to help the government design and implement a suite of responses in this rapidly changing environment.

The Portal

Any worker, who has been stood down, made redundant or has lost their job can register through the Jobs Finder Queensland portal.

Job seekers can register via the portal and access free online training by going to jobsfinder.qld.gov.au