Published Thursday, 28 June, 2007 at 01:30 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
MATURE-AGE JOBSEEKERS READY FOR BUNDABERG INDUSTRY
Twenty-eight mature-age and parental jobseekers graduated from two Skilling Queenslanders for Work administered projects today job-ready and equipped with sought after job skills.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Gary Fenlon, said the graduates were from the second intake of the Making Experience Matter 2006-2007 and the third intake of the Reconnecting the Workforce 2006- 2007 projects, which were funded by the Queenslanders Working Together program.
“IMPACT Make Your Mark received a total of $103,470 to run the projects and provide accredited training and practical on-the-job training for older jobseekers and parents returning to work,” Mr Fenlon said.
“Mature-age participants of Making Experience Matter 2006 -2007 completed competencies from Certificate III in Aged Care Work while participants of Reconnecting the Workforce 2006 -2007 completed accredited training in Information Technology.
“All participants will receive post-placement support either in the initial stages of employment or when continuing with training.
“Participants who gained skills in the aged care industry not only graduate with practical on-the-job experience but also have the life skills and maturity that this specialised work requires.
“Five of this intake’s graduates have already been offered employment in the aged care facility their work experience placements occurred.
“The State Government’s Experience Pays campaign is encouraging employers to recruit, retrain and retain mature-age people and these graduates are a great example of what older workers have to offer.
“In an ageing workforce, older workers are often an untapped resource, bringing to the workplace flexibility, reliability and invaluable life experience,” Mr Fenlon said.
IMPACT Make Your Mark Training Program Manager Joan Graham-Jones said a total of 70 mature-age and parental jobseekers have been assisted through both programs.
“Participants have been provided with one-on-one support, assistance in developing job search strategies and life skills including improving confidence and motivation,” Ms Graham-Jones said.
“Participants who gained skills in Information Technology have gained keyboard, word processing, spreadsheets and Internet skills.
“All participants have received referrals to further training opportunities, employment services and community support programs.”
Mr Fenlon congratulated graduating participants at a ceremony at IMPACT MAKE Your Mark today.
Queenslanders Working Together is funded by the Australian Government and administered under the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative together with its predecessor the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative have helped create more than 122,000 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.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.
Contact: IMPACT Make Your Mark Program Manager - Training
Joan Graham-Jones on 4153 4233 or j.graham-jones@impact.org.au
Media contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
June 28, 2007
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Gary Fenlon, said the graduates were from the second intake of the Making Experience Matter 2006-2007 and the third intake of the Reconnecting the Workforce 2006- 2007 projects, which were funded by the Queenslanders Working Together program.
“IMPACT Make Your Mark received a total of $103,470 to run the projects and provide accredited training and practical on-the-job training for older jobseekers and parents returning to work,” Mr Fenlon said.
“Mature-age participants of Making Experience Matter 2006 -2007 completed competencies from Certificate III in Aged Care Work while participants of Reconnecting the Workforce 2006 -2007 completed accredited training in Information Technology.
“All participants will receive post-placement support either in the initial stages of employment or when continuing with training.
“Participants who gained skills in the aged care industry not only graduate with practical on-the-job experience but also have the life skills and maturity that this specialised work requires.
“Five of this intake’s graduates have already been offered employment in the aged care facility their work experience placements occurred.
“The State Government’s Experience Pays campaign is encouraging employers to recruit, retrain and retain mature-age people and these graduates are a great example of what older workers have to offer.
“In an ageing workforce, older workers are often an untapped resource, bringing to the workplace flexibility, reliability and invaluable life experience,” Mr Fenlon said.
IMPACT Make Your Mark Training Program Manager Joan Graham-Jones said a total of 70 mature-age and parental jobseekers have been assisted through both programs.
“Participants have been provided with one-on-one support, assistance in developing job search strategies and life skills including improving confidence and motivation,” Ms Graham-Jones said.
“Participants who gained skills in Information Technology have gained keyboard, word processing, spreadsheets and Internet skills.
“All participants have received referrals to further training opportunities, employment services and community support programs.”
Mr Fenlon congratulated graduating participants at a ceremony at IMPACT MAKE Your Mark today.
Queenslanders Working Together is funded by the Australian Government and administered under the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative together with its predecessor the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative have helped create more than 122,000 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.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.
Contact: IMPACT Make Your Mark Program Manager - Training
Joan Graham-Jones on 4153 4233 or j.graham-jones@impact.org.au
Media contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
June 28, 2007