Graduating jobseekers have redeveloped Barcaldine property
Published Monday, 26 November, 2007 at 01:10 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
On the banks of the Alice River, between Barcaldine’s camping grounds and the local weir, is Drysdale Farm and it’s currently the talk of the town.
Owned by the Central West Aboriginal Corporation, this 28-acre property has been renovated and revegetated by seven jobseekers from the Barcaldine area who will graduate tomorrow, as part of a State Government-funded employment program.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the seven graduates had gained paid work, new skills and helped their community via this restorative process.
“This project, known as Ngai Mulli Gooka which means Our Spirit Place, received a $120,670 grant under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and was co-ordinated by IsaSKILLS,” he said.
“The core of this initiative was to help give people the skills they need to participate meaningfully in the workforce and in this instance there is also a significant community benefit.
“Two farm cottages have been painted, undergone minor repairs and had electricity restored.
“Landscaping, tree planting and irrigation have given the surrounding land a lift, along with the construction of a shaded barbecue area, volley ball court and camp recreation area,” said Mr Mickel.
IsaSKILLS Training Services Manager Steve Rumens said every participant is heading in the right direction to reach their employment goals.
“This project has been part of a bigger picture: to have this property developed into an Indigenous tourist attraction and a youth support, recreation and training facility.
“So the aim is to make this a self-sustaining enterprise, providing opportunities for local employment across a range of vocations,” said Mr Rumens.
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
The graduation will be held at Drysdale Farm on Tuesday, November 27 commencing at 11:00am.
Contact: IsaSKILLS Training Services Manager Steve Rumens on 4743 4595 or atn@isaskills.org
Ministerial Contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
November 26, 2007
Owned by the Central West Aboriginal Corporation, this 28-acre property has been renovated and revegetated by seven jobseekers from the Barcaldine area who will graduate tomorrow, as part of a State Government-funded employment program.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the seven graduates had gained paid work, new skills and helped their community via this restorative process.
“This project, known as Ngai Mulli Gooka which means Our Spirit Place, received a $120,670 grant under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and was co-ordinated by IsaSKILLS,” he said.
“The core of this initiative was to help give people the skills they need to participate meaningfully in the workforce and in this instance there is also a significant community benefit.
“Two farm cottages have been painted, undergone minor repairs and had electricity restored.
“Landscaping, tree planting and irrigation have given the surrounding land a lift, along with the construction of a shaded barbecue area, volley ball court and camp recreation area,” said Mr Mickel.
IsaSKILLS Training Services Manager Steve Rumens said every participant is heading in the right direction to reach their employment goals.
“This project has been part of a bigger picture: to have this property developed into an Indigenous tourist attraction and a youth support, recreation and training facility.
“So the aim is to make this a self-sustaining enterprise, providing opportunities for local employment across a range of vocations,” said Mr Rumens.
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
The graduation will be held at Drysdale Farm on Tuesday, November 27 commencing at 11:00am.
Contact: IsaSKILLS Training Services Manager Steve Rumens on 4743 4595 or atn@isaskills.org
Ministerial Contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
November 26, 2007