Published Thursday, 07 December, 2006 at 02:37 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
TOWNSVILLE MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES CELEBRATE NEW BEGINNINGS
One hundred and twenty three Townsville refugees and migrants today celebrated the successful completion of a year-long jobs project and welcomed 95 new participants to the project’s second intake.
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister Mr John Mickel said the Townsville Multicultural Support Group has been granted $134,150 funding under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to run the latest project.
“These projects focus on boosting the working futures of newly-arrived refugees and migrants by addressing their unique employment barriers,” Mr Mickel said.
“A number of these people struggle with literacy problems which can impact on all areas of their new life - particularly their employability.
“To counteract this, participants received individual case management, employment assistance and literacy training.
“Thirty participants have already found work which is a testament to the excellent work of everyone involved.
“Projects like these herald a change in the way we think about employment assistance.
“We give jobseekers personally tailored assistance instead of aiming for a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution,” he said.
Group Coordinator, Meg Davis said participants received training to target their individual abilities and ambitions in areas, such as construction, bricklaying, carpentry, customer service, and food handling.
“Participants also benefit from employment assistance to learn about resume preparation, job searching and interview techniques,” Ms Davis said.
“These projects increase skills, prevent isolation and demystify the employment and training landscape for migrants.”
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and its predecessor Breaking the Unemployment Cycle have helped create more than 115 000 jobs for Queensland since 1998.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work is part of the $1 Billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide the skills needed in the 21st Century
Media Contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
Townsville Multicultural Support Group Inc Coordinator: Meg Davis 4775 1588 or tmsg@beyond.net.au
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister Mr John Mickel said the Townsville Multicultural Support Group has been granted $134,150 funding under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to run the latest project.
“These projects focus on boosting the working futures of newly-arrived refugees and migrants by addressing their unique employment barriers,” Mr Mickel said.
“A number of these people struggle with literacy problems which can impact on all areas of their new life - particularly their employability.
“To counteract this, participants received individual case management, employment assistance and literacy training.
“Thirty participants have already found work which is a testament to the excellent work of everyone involved.
“Projects like these herald a change in the way we think about employment assistance.
“We give jobseekers personally tailored assistance instead of aiming for a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution,” he said.
Group Coordinator, Meg Davis said participants received training to target their individual abilities and ambitions in areas, such as construction, bricklaying, carpentry, customer service, and food handling.
“Participants also benefit from employment assistance to learn about resume preparation, job searching and interview techniques,” Ms Davis said.
“These projects increase skills, prevent isolation and demystify the employment and training landscape for migrants.”
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and its predecessor Breaking the Unemployment Cycle have helped create more than 115 000 jobs for Queensland since 1998.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work is part of the $1 Billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide the skills needed in the 21st Century
Media Contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
Townsville Multicultural Support Group Inc Coordinator: Meg Davis 4775 1588 or tmsg@beyond.net.au