ROCKY GRADUATES TO CELEBRATE TODAY AT BOTANIC GARDENS

Twenty-five newly skilled Rockhampton people will today celebrate their achievements with friends and locals after the conclusion of two successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work projects.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan said Jobs Queensland was awarded $364,970 under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to run the projects.

“These projects gave participants paid work and valuable work skills on local Rockhampton projects along with accredited training to back up the real world experience,” Mr Mickel said.

Mr Hoolihan said projects like this give people skills to join the workforce and local businesses the skilled workers they are crying out for.

“Participants work on local construction projects in the local area – a boost for both the community and the individuals involved,” Mr Hoolihan said.

“Already nine participants have found work even though the projects have only just ended – proof that this approach works.“

Jobs Queensland Project Manager Chamay Bauer said the first group of participants worked at Callaghan Park sprucing up the track and facilities

“The second group were employed by Rockhampton City Council to help with public works that included beautification works at Sanctuary Estate, repairs to the North Rockhampton cemetery’s sandstone walls, work on the new animal enclosures at the Botanic Gardens and fencing in local parks,” Ms Bauer said.

“Participants received hands on experience in areas including weed identification and control, landscaping, basic construction, fencing, use of power tools and stone masonry.”

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 Rockhampton City Council graduation will be attended by Member for Keppel, Paul Hoolihan, and take place at the Botanic Gardens Tearoom, Ann Street, Rockhampton at 10:00 am on 12 December 2007.

The Callaghan Park graduation will take place at Callaghan Park Members Bar, Callaghan Park, Rockhampton at 11:30 am on 12 December 2007.

Contact: Jobs Queensland Project Manager Chamay Bauer on 4921 3024 or jobsqld@smartcity.net.au

Member for Keppel contact: 49395732

Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir on 3235 4060

December 12, 2007