JOBSEEKERS’ RESEARCH SUPPORTS URBAN VILLAGE COMMUNITY
Published Friday, 26 October, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Sixteen jobseekers paid to conduct valuable research for the Kelvin Grove Urban Village and gain accredited training and job skills will graduate from a Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative project today, with all participants obtaining jobs.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel and Parliamentary Secretary Gary Fenlon said Queensland University of Technology (QUT) received $126,810 funding for the Kelvin Grove Community Hub Pathways Audit project paying disadvantaged jobseekers to research and report on the needs of the community surrounding the Kelvin Grove Urban Village, where pockets of high long term unemployment exist.
“Participants produced a detailed demographic profile of the disadvantaged people in the local community over the 19-week project focusing on services and resources currently available,” Mr Mickel said.
“This is an invaluable resource to inform the design and planning of future community development activities.
“Participants developed skills using office technology, basic information technology skills, problem solving, social skills and workplace behaviour, time management and task scheduling.”
Member for Brisbane Central Grace Grace said the participants would be in a better position to access job opportunities now, arising from the current population growth and economic development of the inner city and northern suburbs, particularly the area surrounding Kelvin Grove Urban Village.
“At a time when this State is experiencing a record 3.6 percent low in unemployment, this project opens up pathways for participants to find meaningful employment or go on to further accredited training while assisting the development of local services and activities, particularly for disadvantaged people in the area,” Ms Grace said.
“Of the sixteen participants to graduate, twelve have already secured full time jobs, four have part-time work and eight will also continue to advance their studies.
“Programs like this under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative will help give people the skills they need to participate meaningfully in the workforce,” she said.
Member for Brisbane Central, Grace Grace congratulated graduating participants on behalf of Minister Mickel at a ceremony held at Kelvin Grove Urban Village today.
QUT’s Project Coordinator Bob Crombie said participants carried out research around the surrounding areas of the Kelvin Grove Urban Village including Red Hill, Spring Hill, Herston, the Inner City and Kelvin Grove.
“Participants gained practical skills and experience including designing surveys, collecting data through face-to-face and telephone interviews, developing spreadsheets, entering and analysing data and preparing a report,” Mr Crombie said.
“This experience was supported by accredited training in units from the Business Services Training Package provided by Brisbane North Institute of TAFE.
“Participants also can access QUT's Careers and Employment Service which provides employment preparation links to employer profiles, journals, job listing, resume and interview techniques, assisting them further to understand the needs and requirements of the job market.
“It is not simply about earning or learning; it is about striking a balance of the two,” Mr Crombie 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
Contact: QUT Project Coordinator Bob Crombie: 0411 872 385 or r.crombie@qut.edu.au
Member for Brisbane Central contact:
Ministerial Contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion on 3237 1125
October 26, 2007
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel and Parliamentary Secretary Gary Fenlon said Queensland University of Technology (QUT) received $126,810 funding for the Kelvin Grove Community Hub Pathways Audit project paying disadvantaged jobseekers to research and report on the needs of the community surrounding the Kelvin Grove Urban Village, where pockets of high long term unemployment exist.
“Participants produced a detailed demographic profile of the disadvantaged people in the local community over the 19-week project focusing on services and resources currently available,” Mr Mickel said.
“This is an invaluable resource to inform the design and planning of future community development activities.
“Participants developed skills using office technology, basic information technology skills, problem solving, social skills and workplace behaviour, time management and task scheduling.”
Member for Brisbane Central Grace Grace said the participants would be in a better position to access job opportunities now, arising from the current population growth and economic development of the inner city and northern suburbs, particularly the area surrounding Kelvin Grove Urban Village.
“At a time when this State is experiencing a record 3.6 percent low in unemployment, this project opens up pathways for participants to find meaningful employment or go on to further accredited training while assisting the development of local services and activities, particularly for disadvantaged people in the area,” Ms Grace said.
“Of the sixteen participants to graduate, twelve have already secured full time jobs, four have part-time work and eight will also continue to advance their studies.
“Programs like this under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative will help give people the skills they need to participate meaningfully in the workforce,” she said.
Member for Brisbane Central, Grace Grace congratulated graduating participants on behalf of Minister Mickel at a ceremony held at Kelvin Grove Urban Village today.
QUT’s Project Coordinator Bob Crombie said participants carried out research around the surrounding areas of the Kelvin Grove Urban Village including Red Hill, Spring Hill, Herston, the Inner City and Kelvin Grove.
“Participants gained practical skills and experience including designing surveys, collecting data through face-to-face and telephone interviews, developing spreadsheets, entering and analysing data and preparing a report,” Mr Crombie said.
“This experience was supported by accredited training in units from the Business Services Training Package provided by Brisbane North Institute of TAFE.
“Participants also can access QUT's Careers and Employment Service which provides employment preparation links to employer profiles, journals, job listing, resume and interview techniques, assisting them further to understand the needs and requirements of the job market.
“It is not simply about earning or learning; it is about striking a balance of the two,” Mr Crombie 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
Contact: QUT Project Coordinator Bob Crombie: 0411 872 385 or r.crombie@qut.edu.au
Member for Brisbane Central contact:
Ministerial Contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion on 3237 1125
October 26, 2007