Member for Cook David Kempton has hailed the opening of applications for a new partnership program for Indigenous people to have better access to job and training opportunities in his electorate.

The new partnership could see government, community and business organisations work together to meet training needs of Indigenous people in priority skills areas, under the Indigenous Training Strategy.

Organisations can apply for funding of up to $400,000 under the strategy for programs to help participants complete nationally recognised training, with the aim of increasing long-term employment for Indigenous participants.

Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said the four-year strategy was part of the reform of the vocational education and training (VET) sector and supported the “crayon to career” approach to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.

Mr Kempton said the program would improve economic growth in Far North Queensland indigenous communities.

“This opportunity is a delivery from the government as requested by rural and remote communities," Mr Kempton said.

"This opens the door for Indigenous people to improve skills with training for better employment and economic growth."

Mr Langbroek said community-based organisations, registered training organisations and private companies with demonstrated experience in delivering training support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were eligible to submit projects.

Applications for projects under first round funding for 2014–2015 would be accepted from 1–26 September.