MULTICULTURAL LEARNERS ON THE ROAD TO LITERACY
Published Tuesday, 11 September, 2007 at 10:19 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Over 100 recently arrived migrants and refugees will receive customised literacy and numeracy training to help them step into the driver’s seat in a new Skilling Queenslanders for Work project.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Yeerongpilly Simon Finn MP said the training was specifically designed to help 114 Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds obtain their learner’s licence and address personal employment barriers.
“A grant of $58, 340 will enable the project to be run by the Multicultural Centre for Mental Health and Well Being, known as Harmony Place,” Mr Mickel said.
“Participants face so many challenges including difficulties getting their previous qualifications recognised, complying with unfamiliar educational expectations and cultural and linguistic barriers limiting their capacity to participate in employment opportunities.
“Getting a drivers licence is a key factor in taking part and feeling included, in the local community and it gives people the basic skills needed for many jobs.
“This is a continuation of the 2006 project which saw 90 percent of participants succeed in getting their learner’s licence on the first go – an impressive outcome.”
Member for Yeerongpilly Simon Finn MP said being alienated from work can be very destructive to the self-esteem of new Australians.
“I am pleased that this grant will assist Harmony Place continue the great work that they do in assisting people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“This project gives people the English skills they need to get their licence and this may assist to help them find work and feel positive about contributing to their communities.”
Centre Manager Lorraine Sing-Cutler said Harmony Place provides positive support and well-being services linking in with participants’ needs.
We also offer free child-care which gives participants an optimum learning environment as caring responsibilities can present a barrier for women from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds who want to increase their skills,” Ms Sing-Cutler said.
She also pointed to the flexible delivery hours as a reason for the success of the previous project.
“Classes are offered during the day and between school drop-off and pick-up times to make it easier for people to fit it in with their caring obligations,” she said.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative together with its predecessor the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative have helped create more than 124, 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.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Media Contacts:
Harmony Place Manager: Lorraine Sing-Cutler on 3848 1600 or
tikomarau@harmonyplace.org.au
Member for Yeerongpilly: Justine Clark on 3848 4410
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations:
Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
September 11, 2007
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Yeerongpilly Simon Finn MP said the training was specifically designed to help 114 Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds obtain their learner’s licence and address personal employment barriers.
“A grant of $58, 340 will enable the project to be run by the Multicultural Centre for Mental Health and Well Being, known as Harmony Place,” Mr Mickel said.
“Participants face so many challenges including difficulties getting their previous qualifications recognised, complying with unfamiliar educational expectations and cultural and linguistic barriers limiting their capacity to participate in employment opportunities.
“Getting a drivers licence is a key factor in taking part and feeling included, in the local community and it gives people the basic skills needed for many jobs.
“This is a continuation of the 2006 project which saw 90 percent of participants succeed in getting their learner’s licence on the first go – an impressive outcome.”
Member for Yeerongpilly Simon Finn MP said being alienated from work can be very destructive to the self-esteem of new Australians.
“I am pleased that this grant will assist Harmony Place continue the great work that they do in assisting people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“This project gives people the English skills they need to get their licence and this may assist to help them find work and feel positive about contributing to their communities.”
Centre Manager Lorraine Sing-Cutler said Harmony Place provides positive support and well-being services linking in with participants’ needs.
We also offer free child-care which gives participants an optimum learning environment as caring responsibilities can present a barrier for women from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds who want to increase their skills,” Ms Sing-Cutler said.
She also pointed to the flexible delivery hours as a reason for the success of the previous project.
“Classes are offered during the day and between school drop-off and pick-up times to make it easier for people to fit it in with their caring obligations,” she said.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative together with its predecessor the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative have helped create more than 124, 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.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Media Contacts:
Harmony Place Manager: Lorraine Sing-Cutler on 3848 1600 or
tikomarau@harmonyplace.org.au
Member for Yeerongpilly: Justine Clark on 3848 4410
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations:
Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
September 11, 2007