Published Sunday, 11 February, 2007 at 08:30 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
SKILL-STARVED TABLELANDS’ FARMS TO FEEL THE FORCE OF A TRAINED-UP WORK TEAM
Fifteen local jobseekers will be paid to learn much needed job skills and assist Mareeba farmers feeling the pinch from labour shortages thanks to a $188 910 State Government grant.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel said Quality Industry Training and Employment (QiTE) would run the Farm Force 2 project funded by the State Government’s $18.56 million Cyclone Larry Employment Assistance Package.
“Local employer groups have identified a skills shortage and a lack of able workers during the peak season in the Mareeba region,” Mr Mickel said.
“This project is intended to create a supply of local skilled workers to help meet employer demand for labour throughout the year.
“It will concentrate on opportunities that are available for long-term and ongoing employment in the local horticulture industry.
“Farm Force 2 also will help with the impact of Cyclone Larry on primary producers with recovery through skilling and retaining labour on the Tablelands.
“Since the downturn in Mareeba’s $50 million tobacco industry, a variety of horticultural products have emerged requiring a workforce with diverse skills to meet industry needs.
“This project will be an incubator for sustainable horticulture employment providing appropriate skills to the most disadvantaged in our community,” Mr Mickel said.
QiTE’s Training and Community Development Manager, Mary Francis said QiTE aims to establish and train a skilled work team that is able to take on a range of horticulture tasks.
“Participants will be paid to work with a number of local producers ensuring they gain the desired competencies and ‘real-life’ skills,” Ms Francis said.
“They also will take on compulsory training in social and work environment; workplace health and safety; problem solving and planning strategies; and job search and career planning.
“They will be provided with a General Safety Induction ticket, a Forklift ticket and accredited training with the opportunity to achieve Certificate II in Horticulture.
“This project will address the employment needs of local Indigenous jobseekers as well as other long-term unemployed and disadvantaged young people.”
QiTE training and community development manager Mary Francis: (07) 4092 9700
Media Contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
11 February, 2006
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel said Quality Industry Training and Employment (QiTE) would run the Farm Force 2 project funded by the State Government’s $18.56 million Cyclone Larry Employment Assistance Package.
“Local employer groups have identified a skills shortage and a lack of able workers during the peak season in the Mareeba region,” Mr Mickel said.
“This project is intended to create a supply of local skilled workers to help meet employer demand for labour throughout the year.
“It will concentrate on opportunities that are available for long-term and ongoing employment in the local horticulture industry.
“Farm Force 2 also will help with the impact of Cyclone Larry on primary producers with recovery through skilling and retaining labour on the Tablelands.
“Since the downturn in Mareeba’s $50 million tobacco industry, a variety of horticultural products have emerged requiring a workforce with diverse skills to meet industry needs.
“This project will be an incubator for sustainable horticulture employment providing appropriate skills to the most disadvantaged in our community,” Mr Mickel said.
QiTE’s Training and Community Development Manager, Mary Francis said QiTE aims to establish and train a skilled work team that is able to take on a range of horticulture tasks.
“Participants will be paid to work with a number of local producers ensuring they gain the desired competencies and ‘real-life’ skills,” Ms Francis said.
“They also will take on compulsory training in social and work environment; workplace health and safety; problem solving and planning strategies; and job search and career planning.
“They will be provided with a General Safety Induction ticket, a Forklift ticket and accredited training with the opportunity to achieve Certificate II in Horticulture.
“This project will address the employment needs of local Indigenous jobseekers as well as other long-term unemployed and disadvantaged young people.”
QiTE training and community development manager Mary Francis: (07) 4092 9700
Media Contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
11 February, 2006