Published Thursday, 22 November, 2007 at 10:31 AM

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Aged Care shortage to ease in Varsity Lakes
Forty-eight jobseekers will get training to help alleviate the local aged care skill shortage as part of a new Skilling Queenslanders for Work project.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Burleigh Christine Smith said Hope College had been awarded $81,500 to run the project.
“As our unemployment rate lowers we are at risk of skill shortages and it’s vital we give people skills to meet employer demand,” Mr Mickel said.
“Aged care is one industry that is particularly vulnerable and it’s vital that we dedicate funds to help alleviate this situation.”
Ms Smith said Hope College has a great track record for getting results for participants and local employers in this area.
“The College has run four aged care projects since 2005 helping 143 participants and resulting in 97 people finding work and 37 moving on to further training,” Ms Smith said.
Hope College Accounts Manager David Jones said the primary focus of the project would be to give participants six units towards a Certificate III in Aged Care.
“They will also undertake work experience in aged care facilities which will give them real world exposure and allow them to build relationships with local employers,” Mr Jones said.
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: Hope College Accounts Manager David Jones on 07 5501 8088 or 0414 901 987 or djones_hopecollege@hotmail.com
Member for Burleigh contact: 5526 6024
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 Burleigh Christine Smith said Hope College had been awarded $81,500 to run the project.
“As our unemployment rate lowers we are at risk of skill shortages and it’s vital we give people skills to meet employer demand,” Mr Mickel said.
“Aged care is one industry that is particularly vulnerable and it’s vital that we dedicate funds to help alleviate this situation.”
Ms Smith said Hope College has a great track record for getting results for participants and local employers in this area.
“The College has run four aged care projects since 2005 helping 143 participants and resulting in 97 people finding work and 37 moving on to further training,” Ms Smith said.
Hope College Accounts Manager David Jones said the primary focus of the project would be to give participants six units towards a Certificate III in Aged Care.
“They will also undertake work experience in aged care facilities which will give them real world exposure and allow them to build relationships with local employers,” Mr Jones said.
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: Hope College Accounts Manager David Jones on 07 5501 8088 or 0414 901 987 or djones_hopecollege@hotmail.com
Member for Burleigh contact: 5526 6024
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 22, 2007