STATE GOVERNMENT JOINS BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL TO FIGHT UNEMPLOYMENT

The Brisbane City Council has been awarded a $645 000 Skilling Queenslanders for Work grant to provide jobs and training for 84 jobseekers.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said this was the eighth year the State Government had partnered with the council to deliver programs addressing unemployment in the capital.

“Last year seven projects were run, helping a total of 86 people,” Mr Mickel said.

“This new agreement will give 38 disadvantaged young people a range of skills to increase their employment opportunities.

“Another 46 unemployed will get paid work and the opportunity to develop valuable skills doing community projects.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said he was pleased Council would again be able to deliver the projects.

“The support and training these projects are able to offer jobseekers allows them to turn their lives around, and re-enter the workforce,” Cr Newman said.

“Training and work placements will be provided in areas of high skill shortages, helping to ensure Brisbane has trained people to meet industry needs.”

Skilling Queenslanders for Work and its predecessor the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative have helped to create more than 111 000 jobs across Queensland since 1998.

The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan that aims to provide Queenslanders with the right mix of training, vocational skills and associated assistance for the future workforce.

Media contacts: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784

Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor’s Office Kate Winter 0400 839 859

October 12, 2006