Published Thursday, 22 November, 2007 at 10:27 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Mackay youth set to engineer futures
Fifty-five disadvantaged young Queenslanders will get a head start on careers in the skill-starved engineering industry thanks to a new State Government funded project.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin said Coolamon Training Incorporated would run the project through a $70,410 Skilling Queenslanders for Work grant.
“Queensland’s booming economy has led to 30-year low unemployment rates but the challenge now is to ensure we get as many people taking part in the labour force as we can,” Mr Mickel said.
“Young people are particularly vulnerable when they first set out to find work, mainly because of limited skills and experience.”
Mr Mulherin said the project will give participants accredited training in using hand and power tools, measuring, welding, fitting and machining – valuable skills in today’s marketplace.
“We expect that many participants will go on to be accepted into apprenticeships, particularly in the boiler making, fitting and machining industries,” he said.
Coolamon Training Inc Project Coordinator Michelle Bannerman said the project was devised and driven by local industry demand.
“Local engineering companies throughout the Mackay district have indicated an interest in employing project graduates,” Ms Bannerman said.
“Participants job chances will be boosted through comprehensive training in life skills including work ethics, job search, resume and job interview preparation.”
The training, worth more than $190,000, will be delivered through TAFE Queensland.
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest approximately $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.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Contact: Coolamon Training Inc. Project Coordinator Michelle Bannerman on 4955 2788 or training@gilesgroup.com.au
Member for Mackay contact: 4957 8422
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 22, 2007
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin said Coolamon Training Incorporated would run the project through a $70,410 Skilling Queenslanders for Work grant.
“Queensland’s booming economy has led to 30-year low unemployment rates but the challenge now is to ensure we get as many people taking part in the labour force as we can,” Mr Mickel said.
“Young people are particularly vulnerable when they first set out to find work, mainly because of limited skills and experience.”
Mr Mulherin said the project will give participants accredited training in using hand and power tools, measuring, welding, fitting and machining – valuable skills in today’s marketplace.
“We expect that many participants will go on to be accepted into apprenticeships, particularly in the boiler making, fitting and machining industries,” he said.
Coolamon Training Inc Project Coordinator Michelle Bannerman said the project was devised and driven by local industry demand.
“Local engineering companies throughout the Mackay district have indicated an interest in employing project graduates,” Ms Bannerman said.
“Participants job chances will be boosted through comprehensive training in life skills including work ethics, job search, resume and job interview preparation.”
The training, worth more than $190,000, will be delivered through TAFE Queensland.
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest approximately $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.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Contact: Coolamon Training Inc. Project Coordinator Michelle Bannerman on 4955 2788 or training@gilesgroup.com.au
Member for Mackay contact: 4957 8422
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 22, 2007