Jobs boosted by Advance Queensland

The Advance Queensland initiative has helped to create almost 11,000 new jobs, according to new figures.

Data shows that more than 2630 innovators have received support from the program, sparking a continual jobs boom.

The figure of 10,917 jobs reported in December 2017 as a result of Advance Queensland was a jump from the 4821 new jobs reported in June 2017.

“Queensland is gaining a reputation as the innovation state of Australia, with the Startup Muster’s 2017 report showing the sunshine state has 20.8% of the country’s start-ups — putting it ahead of Victoria,” said Innovation Minister Kate Jones.

“Today’s figures show Advance Queensland — the government’s flagship half-a-billion-dollar fund to create the jobs of the future — is working hard for the people of this state.

“But what’s even more promising is that these jobs are in industries that will sustain Queenslanders for generations.

“Advance Queensland is a strategy to transform the state’s economy and build on our reputation as a global innovation and investment destination.

“Innovation is about our greatest natural resource — our people — and how their ideas and new ways of solving problems can create jobs and make our lives better.”

Underwood business GO1.com, which provides workplaces with access to an employee training marketplace through a mobile application, received $178,000 in funding from the Advance Queensland’s Ignite Ideas program.

GO1.com co-founder Vu Tran said the funding received through Ignite Ideas had helped the business to grow their team significantly from 19 employees to more than 50.

“GO1.com was fortunate enough to receive funding for its training mobile application, a key tool in today’s workforce training requirements where cloud and mobile accessible training is essential,” Tran said.

“We put the funding towards hiring local developers, project managers and support staff to undertake the development of the project, which has subsequently led to uptake of the application by customers including the federal Department of Foreign Affairs.”

Queensland start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses can apply for up to$250,000 funding to advance their innovative products and services under round four of the Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas, which is open for applications until 9 May.

The Ignite Ideas program targets businesses with fewer than 200 staff that have a suitable working prototype that is ready to be turned into commercial reality.

“Through Ignite Ideas, the Palaszczuk government is providing innovative businesses, which have been independently assessed in a highly competitive process, with opportunities to take their ready-to-market idea to the next level,” said Jones.

Image credit: ©keepsmiling4u/Dollar Photo Club

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