Published Tuesday, 20 February, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
GOVERNMENT FUNDING HELPS DISADVANTAGED GET WORK READY
A total of 78 jobseekers – disadvantaged by mental health issues – will benefit from a $900,000, 12-month Skilling Queenslanders for Work jobs project that supports the national action plan on mental heath.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel today officially launched the Mental Heath Association coordinated project which is giving jobseekers with mental health issues paid work in community based organisations.
“The Work Placement 2006/07 Project is being run in a number of locations including Roma, Toowoomba, Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Redlands, northern Brisbane suburbs and the Gold Coast. Its teams jobseekers with hosts in day-to-day work,” Mr Mickel said.
“Participants develop their skills while making a great contribution to their hosts’ work.
“Each jobseeker gets paid employment and training in either administration or landscaping along with other necessary work and life skills including stress management strategies, conflict resolution, and communication skills.”
Mr Mickel said the project supported the National Action Plan on Mental Heath which was released by the Council of Australian Governments last year.
“This project builds on the action plan by going further than offering clinical or rehabilitation care,” he said.
“It gives jobseekers the work skills, and renews their self-confidence in their own ability.
“It also helps break down the misconceptions still prevalent in the community about employing a worker who has suffered a mental health issue.”
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative together with its predecessor the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative have helped create more than 116,000 jobs for Queenslanders since 1998.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work 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.
For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative
visit www.deir.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Media Contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel today officially launched the Mental Heath Association coordinated project which is giving jobseekers with mental health issues paid work in community based organisations.
“The Work Placement 2006/07 Project is being run in a number of locations including Roma, Toowoomba, Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Redlands, northern Brisbane suburbs and the Gold Coast. Its teams jobseekers with hosts in day-to-day work,” Mr Mickel said.
“Participants develop their skills while making a great contribution to their hosts’ work.
“Each jobseeker gets paid employment and training in either administration or landscaping along with other necessary work and life skills including stress management strategies, conflict resolution, and communication skills.”
Mr Mickel said the project supported the National Action Plan on Mental Heath which was released by the Council of Australian Governments last year.
“This project builds on the action plan by going further than offering clinical or rehabilitation care,” he said.
“It gives jobseekers the work skills, and renews their self-confidence in their own ability.
“It also helps break down the misconceptions still prevalent in the community about employing a worker who has suffered a mental health issue.”
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative together with its predecessor the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative have helped create more than 116,000 jobs for Queenslanders since 1998.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work 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.
For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative
visit www.deir.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Media Contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784