Skilling Queenslanders for bright futures

The Ipswich Community Youth Service (ICYS) is one of 84 organisations to share in more than $34.7 million to roll out 156 projects under the latest round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work.

Minister for Training and Skills Development, Shannon Fentiman announced the latest round of funding at the TAFE Queensland Ipswich training kitchen today alongside Skilling Queenslanders for Work participants who have been learning valuable hospitality skills through ICYS’s Increasing Options project.

“We know that some Queenslanders are struggling to find the right opportunity and that’s what makes Skilling Queenslanders for Work so successful,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Thanks to $146,500 in funding, ICYS will be able to assist 41 young Queenslanders from Ipswich and Lowood by providing wrap-around support to help them to gain the skills they need to get a job and build a career.

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said this initiative provides career pathways for locals in Ipswich.

“In this round more than $2.2 million will fund 11 projects in Ipswich and since being reinstated, Skilling Queenslanders for Work has supported more than 1,600 into work in Ipswich,” Ms Howard said.

“In partnership with TAFE Queensland, participants have access to world class hospitality training facilities as they complete a Certificate II in Kitchen Operations here at the Ipswich campus.”

“Ipswich Community Youth Service do fantastic work with our local young Queenslanders in Ipswich, supporting them towards their bright futures.”

ICYS Service Manager Amanda Margerison said supporting young people aged between 15 and 19 years to pursue their goals is a key aspect of our organisation.

“ICYS provides a range of support services to young people on a continuum of education and employment. Our Increasing Options program involves our project coordinator and a youth worker to build up young people’s self-confidence, motivation, general workplace and life skills,” Ms Margerison said.

“This support is the strength of Skilling Queenslanders for Work, because not only are young people supported to obtain a qualification, we also prepare and support each participant to address any barriers they might face when it comes to studying, applying for jobs, starting in a new workplace or planning for their futures.”

“Across the state, more than 20,000 Queenslanders have found work as a direct result of participating in a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project since July 2015,” Ms Fentiman said.

“They include young jobseekers just starting out, older people retraining for new career opportunities, as well as parents looking to get back into the workforce, refugees or migrants looking for Australian jobs and other jobseekers who can improve their employment prospects with some tailored support and training.

“Ex-ADF personnel and their families can also join a project for assistance to make a positive transition into the civilian workforce.”

“Improving job prospects for Queenslanders will boost the local economy and help businesses to grow.”

Skilling Queenslanders for Work funds skills development, training and job opportunities for unemployed, disengaged or disadvantaged Queenslanders through a suite of targeted skills and training programs.

Further rounds of Skilling Queenslanders for Work will be opening soon, for more information visit www.training.qld.gov.au/sqw or call 1300 369 935.

ENDS

Media Contact:          Inga Williams              0439 949 719