Published Tuesday, 05 June, 2007 at 04:17 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
QUEENSLAND TO FUND PILOT EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
The Beattie Government will invest $81.75 million to assist disadvantaged unemployed and underemployed people in the 2007-08 State Budget.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the department would introduce and coordinate the new Participate in Prosperity program aimed at assisting local workforce development strategies for individuals or communities in or at risk of persistent poverty.
“The three-year program will receive $3 million in 2007-08 to promote greater linkages between existing services and employment assistance with the aim of increasing workforce participation,” he said.
In what’s believed to be an Australian first, Queensland Government departments will work in concert to achieve the best long term results for those most disadvantaged in the jobs market.
“The initiative aims to improve opportunities for those currently excluded from the labour market.
“Research shows that poverty is strongly linked to personal factors and geographic location.
“Without intervention, individuals in certain geographic locations have little chance of securing employment.
“As the disadvantaged are disproportionate users of State Government services, this places ongoing pressure on services such as health, public housing and social support,” he said.
Queensland spends more on labour market programs than every other state combined.
Since 1998, the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle has assisted 171,137 Queenslanders, including 121,203 people placed in jobs.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
5 June, 2007
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the department would introduce and coordinate the new Participate in Prosperity program aimed at assisting local workforce development strategies for individuals or communities in or at risk of persistent poverty.
“The three-year program will receive $3 million in 2007-08 to promote greater linkages between existing services and employment assistance with the aim of increasing workforce participation,” he said.
In what’s believed to be an Australian first, Queensland Government departments will work in concert to achieve the best long term results for those most disadvantaged in the jobs market.
“The initiative aims to improve opportunities for those currently excluded from the labour market.
“Research shows that poverty is strongly linked to personal factors and geographic location.
“Without intervention, individuals in certain geographic locations have little chance of securing employment.
“As the disadvantaged are disproportionate users of State Government services, this places ongoing pressure on services such as health, public housing and social support,” he said.
Queensland spends more on labour market programs than every other state combined.
Since 1998, the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle has assisted 171,137 Queenslanders, including 121,203 people placed in jobs.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
5 June, 2007