NORTH QUEENSLAND BANANA GROWERS TO BENEFIT FROM NEWLY SKILLED WORKFORCE
Published Thursday, 04 January, 2007 at 12:30 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Following todays summit held in Cairns between the Australian Banana Growers’ Council and Federal and State Government representatives, the Queensland Government has reinforced its commitment to ensuring a smooth transition from cyclone devastation to sustainable farm business in North Queensland on a new Cyclone Larry Employment Assistance Package jobs project.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the $129 250 project run by the Australian Agricultural College Corporation at Innisfail aims to develop local skills to meet skills shortages as part of the post Cyclone Larry recovery process.
“The State Government has been on the ground in North Queensland from the beginning – committing $18.5M to create jobs and train locals to ensure an able workforce is on the ground when the crops return.
“This new year-long project will provide intensive training to at least 100 locals in aspects of banana farm business including chemical handling, pest and disease control and crop regulation, occupational health and safety, using heavy machinery, irrigation, soil management and harvesting.
“This will help alleviate threats to the next crop cycle from pest and disease outbreaks stemming from cyclone damage and excess plant materials.”
Australian Agricultural Corporation Manager Alison Brunker said the project would target many of those who participated in the original government funded employment projects and those wishing to enter the industry.
“This project has been carefully developed in consultation with peak industry bodies including Australian Banana Growers Council, Banana Growers Queensland, Innisfail Banana Growers’ Association and Growcom as well as the Department of Primary Industries, employers and industry workers,” Ms Brunker said.
“Additional funding in the form of a direct grant of $228 675 for training costs will come from the Australian Agricultural Corporation.”
The project is coordinated under the Skilling Queenslander for Work initiative which, together with its predecessor Breaking the Unemployment Cycle, has helped create over 115 000 jobs for Queenslanders since 1998.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
Australian Agricultural College Manager Alison Brunker on 4092 4221 or alison.brunker@acca.edu.au
Ministerial Contact: Chris Brown on 3224 7349
4 January 2007
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the $129 250 project run by the Australian Agricultural College Corporation at Innisfail aims to develop local skills to meet skills shortages as part of the post Cyclone Larry recovery process.
“The State Government has been on the ground in North Queensland from the beginning – committing $18.5M to create jobs and train locals to ensure an able workforce is on the ground when the crops return.
“This new year-long project will provide intensive training to at least 100 locals in aspects of banana farm business including chemical handling, pest and disease control and crop regulation, occupational health and safety, using heavy machinery, irrigation, soil management and harvesting.
“This will help alleviate threats to the next crop cycle from pest and disease outbreaks stemming from cyclone damage and excess plant materials.”
Australian Agricultural Corporation Manager Alison Brunker said the project would target many of those who participated in the original government funded employment projects and those wishing to enter the industry.
“This project has been carefully developed in consultation with peak industry bodies including Australian Banana Growers Council, Banana Growers Queensland, Innisfail Banana Growers’ Association and Growcom as well as the Department of Primary Industries, employers and industry workers,” Ms Brunker said.
“Additional funding in the form of a direct grant of $228 675 for training costs will come from the Australian Agricultural Corporation.”
The project is coordinated under the Skilling Queenslander for Work initiative which, together with its predecessor Breaking the Unemployment Cycle, has helped create over 115 000 jobs for Queenslanders since 1998.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
Australian Agricultural College Manager Alison Brunker on 4092 4221 or alison.brunker@acca.edu.au
Ministerial Contact: Chris Brown on 3224 7349
4 January 2007