Builder backs State Budget $10,000 jobs incentive

ROCKHAMPTON builder Scott Kilpatrick believes any incentive to get people into the workforce is a winner.

BUILDING CONFIDENCE: Craig Kelly and Scott Kilpatrick are hoping the new Back to Work Employment Package released in the budget yesterday will boost confidence in the region. Picture: Allan Reinikka Rokabuildin

ROCKHAMPTON builder Scott Kilpatrick believes any incentive to get people into the workforce is a winner.

That's why the local owner of Affordable Quality Homes is backing the State Government's Back to Work Regional Employment Package which was announced in the State Budget yesterday.

The new two-year Back to Work Regional Employment Package is set to deliver support payments of up to $10,000 for employers who hire and keep someone employed for 12 months or more, in Queensland's regions.

This payment increases to $15,000 if an employer hires a long-term unemployed person.

According to the budget this will "directly fund getting around 8000 regional Queenslanders back to work and will make a contribution to the economy."

Mr Kilpatrick said anything the government can do to create incentives to employ people was a benefit to the regions.

"Anything that encourages business to employ more people can only be good for everyone," Mr Kilpatrick said.

"I believe anything governments can do to govern and create incentives for people to employ has a much longer term affect than not having it because once those people are employed most employers will be inclined to keep them on and further their training which also gives more people in the community a greater sense of worth."

The aim behind the newly announced employment package is to give regional employers the confidence to take on new staff and to have the confidence to grow their team.

Mr Kilpatrick said when it came to the local economy, confidence was key.

"For the social aspect of the community, the hope or the belief that there is long term employment available allows people to build homes and raise families and that is very strong for the community," Mr Kilpatrick said.

"Incentives like these will give encouragement to those looking to put someone on full time which means people will have confidence in a secure job. The whole region seems to be running low in confidence at the moment so this could be very beneficial."

BACK TO WORK:

For employers

Payments of up to $10,000 to employ a jobseeker in a regional area and an additional $5000 if you take on someone who has been unemployed for one year or more.

To be eligible you must commence employment on, or after, July 1, 2016 and be employed for at least four weeks before you can apply. Other eligibility criteria will also apply.

For jobseekers

If you are a jobseeker who can work in regional Queensland, from July 1 you may be able to access support to help get you back to work:

a Back to Work Navigation team who will work with you to help connect you with employment and training opportunities including apprenticeship and traineeship pathways.

Originally published as Builder backs State Budget $10,000 jobs incentive