Published Monday, 25 June, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
PROSPECTS BRIGHTER FOR SUNSHINE COAST JOBSEEKERS
Sixty-three mature-age and parental jobseekers today graduated from employment projects on the Sunshine Coast with a host of new skills and qualifications, Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel has announced.
Community Solutions has been funded $1,208,295 to co-ordinate the year-long projects, funded by the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and Queenslanders Working Together, a Federal Government program.
“While unemployment is of 3.5 per cent in Queensland, there are still people out there who are having difficulty finding work.
“Programs like this under our Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative are helping to give people the skills they need to participate meaningfully in the workforce,” Mr Mickel said.
“Participants have received formal training if desired, to Certificate II and III level in aged care, business, tourism and hospitality.”
Representing the Minister, Parliamentary Secretary Gary Fenlon said Queensland’s booming economy has helped cut the state’s unemployment rate to a 30-year low of 3.5 per cent.
“The reality is that as the workforce ages we are going to need all the people we can get participating in the workforce.
“The key to that is to help people build the skills needed by employers and industry,” Mr Fenlon said.
“These projects have incorporated employment assistance via training and skill development, including accredited training.”
Community Solutions’ General Manager David Curd said he has been pleased with the outcomes of the projects.
“Not only have these jobseekers received a boost in skills and self-esteem, but a number have gained employment as a result of work placements and formal training.
“Many have also decided to further their studies to gain higher qualifications,” said Mr Curd.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work which together with its predecessor the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative has helped to create more than 122,000 jobs across Queensland since 1998.
The 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.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.
Contact: Community Solutions Inc. General Manager David Curd on 5477 5955 or dcurd@community-solutions.com.au
Media Contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
Community Solutions has been funded $1,208,295 to co-ordinate the year-long projects, funded by the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and Queenslanders Working Together, a Federal Government program.
“While unemployment is of 3.5 per cent in Queensland, there are still people out there who are having difficulty finding work.
“Programs like this under our Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative are helping to give people the skills they need to participate meaningfully in the workforce,” Mr Mickel said.
“Participants have received formal training if desired, to Certificate II and III level in aged care, business, tourism and hospitality.”
Representing the Minister, Parliamentary Secretary Gary Fenlon said Queensland’s booming economy has helped cut the state’s unemployment rate to a 30-year low of 3.5 per cent.
“The reality is that as the workforce ages we are going to need all the people we can get participating in the workforce.
“The key to that is to help people build the skills needed by employers and industry,” Mr Fenlon said.
“These projects have incorporated employment assistance via training and skill development, including accredited training.”
Community Solutions’ General Manager David Curd said he has been pleased with the outcomes of the projects.
“Not only have these jobseekers received a boost in skills and self-esteem, but a number have gained employment as a result of work placements and formal training.
“Many have also decided to further their studies to gain higher qualifications,” said Mr Curd.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work which together with its predecessor the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative has helped to create more than 122,000 jobs across Queensland since 1998.
The 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.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.
Contact: Community Solutions Inc. General Manager David Curd on 5477 5955 or dcurd@community-solutions.com.au
Media Contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784