Published Thursday, 15 November, 2007 at 12:30 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
LOGAN LITERACY PROJECT FIRST STEP FOR NEW ARRIVALS
A Queensland Government initiative is funding literacy training for 50 migrants and refugees who have recently arrived in Logan.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Woodridge Desley Scott said ACCES Services received $79,500 from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to organise the Pathways to Language and Literacy project.
“Learning to read, write and speak English is an important first step for any new arrivals and with this training, participants will be ready to take on the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), employment, further education or training or other work preparation projects,” Mr Mickel said.
“The project will be delivered at the Cultural and Linguistic Development Hub based at the Woodridge Police Citizens Youth Club and 20 Hub volunteers will receive tutor training through the Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE.
“The Hub also provides child care facilities so parents can take part in the project too.”
Member for Woodridge Desley Scott said Pathways to Language and Literacy will bring benefits for the local community as well as for the participants.
“With this training these people can have more social involvement in our local community and when they find work in the future they will be contributing to our economy as well,” Ms Scott said
“As unemployment is at a 30-year low of 3.8 per cent in Queensland, it is important to remember those people who are having difficulty finding work in the current conditions will need assistance to move into the workforce.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative funds community organisations to develop projects like Pathways to Language and Literacy which give disadvantaged jobseekers the opportunity to gain the skills which have been keeping them out of meaningful employment.”
ACCES Services Director Gail Ker said the project has received a lot of support from a variety of sources.
“The Community Renewal program, coordinated by the Department of Housing, has committed $100,000 to employ a co-ordinator and administrative assistant for nine months of the project while the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship will provide $70,000 for AMEP and settlement programs,” Ms Ker said.
“Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE are providing $40,000 for the volunteer tutor training and we will then match participants to the tutor who can best assist them.
“Playgroups Queensland is funding the child care and PCYC and ACCES Services are also providing in-kind contributions.
“Learning English will open up more options for these participants socially and in their working lives too.”
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 17,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland's prosperity.
Twelve months after receiving employment and training assistance 67 per cent of participants are in employment.
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: ACCES Manager Employment and Business Michael Krafft on 3808 9299 or accessinc@accesservicesinc.org.au
Member for Woodridge contact: 3808 5212
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 15, 2007
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Woodridge Desley Scott said ACCES Services received $79,500 from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to organise the Pathways to Language and Literacy project.
“Learning to read, write and speak English is an important first step for any new arrivals and with this training, participants will be ready to take on the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), employment, further education or training or other work preparation projects,” Mr Mickel said.
“The project will be delivered at the Cultural and Linguistic Development Hub based at the Woodridge Police Citizens Youth Club and 20 Hub volunteers will receive tutor training through the Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE.
“The Hub also provides child care facilities so parents can take part in the project too.”
Member for Woodridge Desley Scott said Pathways to Language and Literacy will bring benefits for the local community as well as for the participants.
“With this training these people can have more social involvement in our local community and when they find work in the future they will be contributing to our economy as well,” Ms Scott said
“As unemployment is at a 30-year low of 3.8 per cent in Queensland, it is important to remember those people who are having difficulty finding work in the current conditions will need assistance to move into the workforce.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative funds community organisations to develop projects like Pathways to Language and Literacy which give disadvantaged jobseekers the opportunity to gain the skills which have been keeping them out of meaningful employment.”
ACCES Services Director Gail Ker said the project has received a lot of support from a variety of sources.
“The Community Renewal program, coordinated by the Department of Housing, has committed $100,000 to employ a co-ordinator and administrative assistant for nine months of the project while the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship will provide $70,000 for AMEP and settlement programs,” Ms Ker said.
“Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE are providing $40,000 for the volunteer tutor training and we will then match participants to the tutor who can best assist them.
“Playgroups Queensland is funding the child care and PCYC and ACCES Services are also providing in-kind contributions.
“Learning English will open up more options for these participants socially and in their working lives too.”
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 17,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland's prosperity.
Twelve months after receiving employment and training assistance 67 per cent of participants are in employment.
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: ACCES Manager Employment and Business Michael Krafft on 3808 9299 or accessinc@accesservicesinc.org.au
Member for Woodridge contact: 3808 5212
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 15, 2007