JOBS PROGRAMS NEEDED DESPITE BOOM IN NORTH-WEST
Published Tuesday, 06 November, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
The mining boom may be in full swing but there is still the need for labour market programs in the State’s north-west, Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said today.
“The resources boom has seen an influx of people into Mount Isa to take advantage of mining jobs, but in line with that expansion there are still individuals who can’t find a job, or businesses that can’t find staff,” Mr Mickel said.
“Industries in the area crying out for workers include the metal and engineering trades, hospitality, retail, childcare, administration and construction.
“Just like the rest of the state, Mount Isa needs skilled employees to fill these skill shortage areas, and labour market and work-skills development programs can help fill that need,” he said.
Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative was funding organisations in the north-west to provide individual assistance to disadvantaged jobseekers struggling to overcome employment barriers, and skills training opportunities in skills shortage industries so industries can grow.
“Skilling Queenslanders for Work, which officially began on 1 July this year, follows on from the State Government’s highly successful, Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative which assisted 3,012 people in the Mount Isa electorate with job related assistance during its nine-year life,” Mrs Kiernan said.
“So even with record low unemployment in Queensland, we are still mindful that investment in labour market and skills development programs is still needed.
Under the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative over $17.5 million was invested in the Mount Isa electorate, to June 2007, with an additional $615,000 Skilling Queenslanders for Work funding committed since 1 July 2007.
Details of the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative success in Mount Isa are:
• Under the Community Employment Program a total of 1666 people have been assisted, resulting in 1,063 job placements.
• 578 apprentices and trainees, including 32 school-based trainees and four school-based apprentices have been employed in public sector agencies at a total cost of $10.37 million.
• Private sector employers and group training organisations have also benefited with financial incentives totalling $1.2 million employing 429 apprentices and 197 trainees, including 67 school-based trainees and 36 school-based apprentices.
• Since 1 July 2005, 158 people have been assisted with training through seven Training in Communities projects with a total investment of $166,180.
• To support the Government's Education and Training Reforms for the Future agenda, a total investment of $340,000 through the Get Set for Work program has assisted 98 disadvantaged youth aged 15-17 years, including 32 who have positive job outcomes
During 2007/08 the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative will invest $82 million to give 17,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland’s prosperity.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative along 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.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 6, 2007
“The resources boom has seen an influx of people into Mount Isa to take advantage of mining jobs, but in line with that expansion there are still individuals who can’t find a job, or businesses that can’t find staff,” Mr Mickel said.
“Industries in the area crying out for workers include the metal and engineering trades, hospitality, retail, childcare, administration and construction.
“Just like the rest of the state, Mount Isa needs skilled employees to fill these skill shortage areas, and labour market and work-skills development programs can help fill that need,” he said.
Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative was funding organisations in the north-west to provide individual assistance to disadvantaged jobseekers struggling to overcome employment barriers, and skills training opportunities in skills shortage industries so industries can grow.
“Skilling Queenslanders for Work, which officially began on 1 July this year, follows on from the State Government’s highly successful, Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative which assisted 3,012 people in the Mount Isa electorate with job related assistance during its nine-year life,” Mrs Kiernan said.
“So even with record low unemployment in Queensland, we are still mindful that investment in labour market and skills development programs is still needed.
Under the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative over $17.5 million was invested in the Mount Isa electorate, to June 2007, with an additional $615,000 Skilling Queenslanders for Work funding committed since 1 July 2007.
Details of the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative success in Mount Isa are:
• Under the Community Employment Program a total of 1666 people have been assisted, resulting in 1,063 job placements.
• 578 apprentices and trainees, including 32 school-based trainees and four school-based apprentices have been employed in public sector agencies at a total cost of $10.37 million.
• Private sector employers and group training organisations have also benefited with financial incentives totalling $1.2 million employing 429 apprentices and 197 trainees, including 67 school-based trainees and 36 school-based apprentices.
• Since 1 July 2005, 158 people have been assisted with training through seven Training in Communities projects with a total investment of $166,180.
• To support the Government's Education and Training Reforms for the Future agenda, a total investment of $340,000 through the Get Set for Work program has assisted 98 disadvantaged youth aged 15-17 years, including 32 who have positive job outcomes
During 2007/08 the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative will invest $82 million to give 17,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland’s prosperity.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative along 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.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 6, 2007