Applications are now open for the new ground-breaking Women’s Career Grants initiative.
After the program was launched on 12 October, more than 3,300 Queensland women registered their interest for the grants which opened for applications last Monday, 3 November.
The $20 million initiative is set to support Queensland women who want to get back into work, reducing the barriers to employment after career breaks such as caring for children, periods of family sickness, or relationship breakdowns.
The grants will be available to assist with the costs of workwear, childcare, training, recertification, transport to and from job interviews, tools and technology, or relocation expenses for new employment.
To be eligible, applicants must be Queensland residents over the age of 18 who have been unemployed for at least six months and are ready to re-enter the workforce, and able to provide the required identification evidence.
The Women’s Career Grants will be delivered for the first two years in partnership with Future Women, the team behind the successful Jobs Academy program, which is a training initiative for women looking for work.
The $5,000 grants are part of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy and boosting women’s economic security.
Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security Fiona Simpson applauded the program which will boost economic security for Queensland women with new Women’s Career Grants.
“We are delivering more support for women returning to work with new grants to help cover the cost of employment essentials,” Ms Simpson said.
“The cost of childcare, technology, training or workwear shouldn’t be employment barriers and the Women’s Career Grants are helping remove them.
“This is [an] important cost of living relief for women returning to work after children, illness or relationship breakdowns, because Queensland women shouldn’t be locked-out of a job because they can’t afford the cost of job-seeking.”
Future Women founder Helen McCabe was not surprised by the level of interest and excitement generated by the grants.
“These grants will make a real, tangible difference to the lives of many Queenslanders,” she said.
“Future Women is excited to be partnering with the Queensland Government to support women returning to work.”
“This is what we at Future Women do best – we know how to connect women with the support they need to get back to work and thrive.”
Applications can be submitted here: womenscareergrants.com.au/
