Published Friday, 16 March, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
QUEENSLAND OCCUPATIONAL DIVERS SET FOR $2.8 MILLION SKILLS BOOST
Queensland commercial seafood harvesting divers are set to benefit from a
$2.8 million State Government funding injection to up skill and re-skill commercial harvesting workers throughout the State.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations will contribute $324,000 to the project in cooperation with the Department of Education and Training.
Minister for Education and Training Rod Welford said the project was born from recommendations of the State Coroner in 2004 following several deaths in the diving industry.
“The Queensland commercial harvesting diving industry employs more than 800 people and it is crucial that we have a safe workforce that meets industry training standards,” Mr Welford said.
”Occupational divers are involved in gathering species such as crayfish and beche de mer. In addition, divers are employed to gather tropical fish for aquariums, or aquaculture farms and in the fledgling sponge farming industry.”
Mr Welford said the joint initiative between the Department of Education, Training and the Arts and the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations would increase the industry’s professionalism and workers safety.
“I am pleased to announce that my department will be contributing $2.49 million towards the initiative,” he said.
“This funding will be used as a direct grant to train an estimated 600 occupational divers through the Tropical North Institute of TAFE.”
Mr Mickel said the funding will be put towards training costs with a portion from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative dedicated to employing a full-time training coordinator.
“Gary Haddock has now taken up this position and will be coordinating the training needs of occupational divers across Queensland until October 2008,” he said.
“In 2005, workplace health and safety legislation was amended to create the Occupational Diving Work - Code of Practice 2005.
“Mr Haddock will be helping divers to meet the legislative requirements outlined
in the Code.
“He will focus on coordinating training for new industry entrants and assisting experienced divers to get their skills recognised, and organise training to fill
any skills’ gaps.”
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative together with its predecessor
the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative have helped create more
than 117,000 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
__________________________________________
Contact: Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE Strategic Initiatives Manager Phil Williams on: 4042 2511or phillip.n.williams@det.qld.gov.au
Media Contacts:
Greg Milne (Mr Welford’s office) 3235 4593
Chris Brown ( Mr Mickel’s office) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784
$2.8 million State Government funding injection to up skill and re-skill commercial harvesting workers throughout the State.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations will contribute $324,000 to the project in cooperation with the Department of Education and Training.
Minister for Education and Training Rod Welford said the project was born from recommendations of the State Coroner in 2004 following several deaths in the diving industry.
“The Queensland commercial harvesting diving industry employs more than 800 people and it is crucial that we have a safe workforce that meets industry training standards,” Mr Welford said.
”Occupational divers are involved in gathering species such as crayfish and beche de mer. In addition, divers are employed to gather tropical fish for aquariums, or aquaculture farms and in the fledgling sponge farming industry.”
Mr Welford said the joint initiative between the Department of Education, Training and the Arts and the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations would increase the industry’s professionalism and workers safety.
“I am pleased to announce that my department will be contributing $2.49 million towards the initiative,” he said.
“This funding will be used as a direct grant to train an estimated 600 occupational divers through the Tropical North Institute of TAFE.”
Mr Mickel said the funding will be put towards training costs with a portion from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative dedicated to employing a full-time training coordinator.
“Gary Haddock has now taken up this position and will be coordinating the training needs of occupational divers across Queensland until October 2008,” he said.
“In 2005, workplace health and safety legislation was amended to create the Occupational Diving Work - Code of Practice 2005.
“Mr Haddock will be helping divers to meet the legislative requirements outlined
in the Code.
“He will focus on coordinating training for new industry entrants and assisting experienced divers to get their skills recognised, and organise training to fill
any skills’ gaps.”
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative together with its predecessor
the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative have helped create more
than 117,000 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
__________________________________________
Contact: Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE Strategic Initiatives Manager Phil Williams on: 4042 2511or phillip.n.williams@det.qld.gov.au
Media Contacts:
Greg Milne (Mr Welford’s office) 3235 4593
Chris Brown ( Mr Mickel’s office) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784