380 people in Far North Queensland secure jobs

The Palaszczuk Government is delivering on its commitment to creating jobs, with the latest figures showing more than 6200 Queenslanders have secured employment from the Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

In the Far North Queensland region, 380 people have secured jobs as a direct result of Skilling Queenslanders for Work.

Minister for Training and Skills Yvette D’Ath made the announcement while visiting the successful Blue Army Crown of Thorns Control Program at Marlin Marina in Cairns.

Mrs D’Ath said the Palaszczuk Government supported the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) to offer innovative Work Skills Traineeships, which prepared local job seekers for roles in the marine tourism industry.

“The State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative has committed $2,057,700 over the past two years to assist a total of 60 people through this project,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“I’m happy to say that of the 35 people trained last year, 24 who completed the project have found jobs, including two members of the Ocean Freedom crew I met today.”

During 26-week traineeships, participants complete a variety of training including a Certificate I in Business, scuba diving, first aid, Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) control guidelines, and marine tourism.

AMPTO CEO Colin McKenzie said job prospects were looking good for the current participants as well.

“Our project has great support from employers, especially the organisations that host the participants and give them experience working in the industry,” Mr McKenzie said.

“We aim to assist people from a variety of backgrounds to get a start in this industry, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and young job seekers, and it is wonderful to see participants gain new skills through the training, impress an employer while they’re gaining experience as a crew member and get a job offer when they finish the project.”

Mrs D’Ath said by the end of February 2017, more than 10,000 Queenslanders had completed training programs under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to investing in jobs and that is why we reinstated the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative after it was scrapped by the LNP,” she said.

“In less than two years, more than 6200 Queenslanders have secured jobs, 1500 have gone onto further training and 220 have returned to school.”

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said this was great news for the region.

“Skilling Queenslanders for Work helps unemployed and under-employed people get the training and skills they need to help secure employment,” Mr Crawford said.

Under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, community organisations are provided Government funding to help train unemployed and under-employed Queenslanders in the community.

“Community organisations can also now apply for the next round of funding to run projects that help train people in their community,” Mr Crawford said.

For further information about Skilling Queenslanders for Work, and to apply under the next round, visit www.training.qld.gov.au/sqwor call 1300 369 935.

Minister’s Media contact: 0417 675 917

AMPTO Media contact: Margie McKenzie 0419 789 683