Young people at risk of offending are being trained to work in hospitality, construction and other industries in a bid to keep them away from crime.
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The latest round of the $80 million Skilling Queenslanders for Work program is focusing on helping young people known to youth justice and police, and others deemed to be at risk of offending.
Concerns about youth crime have flared in recent months, with a recent Freshwater Strategy Poll finding it was the third-biggest issue to voters after cost of living and housing.
Training and skills minister Di Farmer said the jobs program would help 15,000 people get into the workforce by providing industry-specific training and helping them with social skills.
The program helps graduates find work with not-for-profit organisations that need help on specific projects.
"These are people who have often never ever worked at all so don't actually know how you act in a work environment," Ms Farmer told reporters on Saturday.
She said more than three quarters of people who took part in the program previously were employed or doing further training a year later.
Construction, business, tourism, hospitality and community services are some of the most popular industries.
Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafull claimed early intervention in the state was "broken".
"Let's turn kids around before they're holding a knife at a door or ramming a police car. There is a youth crime crisis," he said.
Applications for the second round of the program are open.
Australian Associated Press
