Practical experience prepares teens for work and further study

Fifty-four young people from Caboolture, Bribie Island and Zillmere will graduate tomorrow from a Queensland Government funded Get Set for Work project that will help them re-engage in the workforce.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Glass House Carolyn Male said the $347,970 Skilling Queenslanders for Work funded project has given participants renewed confidence to gain work or continue with training.

“The project, run by KYC Trust, was flexible and responsive to participants needs and focused on social and living skills as well as networking, training and career options,” Mr Mickel said.

“Get Set for Work projects give young adults alternative avenues into work or continued training through practical exercises that develop social skills and assist with literacy and numeracy.

“This particular project offered part-time work placements in the hospitality and automotive industries, giving participants hands-on experience and relevant expectations of the workforce.”

Member for Glass House Carolyn Male said the project used a holistic approach including

self development activities, TAFE training, workplace visits and team building exercises.

“Short-term courses were available in retail, construction blue cards, gaming licence, responsible service of alcohol and senior first aid – all of which will add immense value to the participants’ resumes,” she said.

“Participants also had the option of a two-day per week work placement in the hospitality industry.”

Executive Director of KYC Trust Kim Reid said the project had received support from a number of community organisations, education facilities, job network members, Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations and State Members or Parliament.

“They completed accredited training, learned numerous new skills including coffee-making, food preparation, food serving skills, and general cleaning skills,” Ms Reid said.

“Shortly after completing the work placement, eight of the 10 young people gained paid employment and are now enjoying their work.”

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 21^st 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 take place at the Trustee for KYC Trust, Industry Drive, Caboolture

at 10.30am on Tuesday, 18 December.

Contact: KYC Trust Executive Director on 07 5428 3589 or kyctrust@bigpond.com

Member for Glass House contact:  5495 2666

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

December 17, 2007