PCYC revival to skill North Queensland workers

Six participants in the Queensland Government-funded Charters Towers PCYC Revival project will graduate tomorrow following 13-weeks of personalised training and community participation exercises.

The Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association was awarded $78,590 of Skilling Queenslanders for Work funding to run the project.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said it was heartening to see such success with a project that was largely focused on community participation.

“It’s great to see disengaged workers connecting with the community, particularly in a way that increases confidence and self-satisfaction,” Mr Mickel said.

“By concentrating on both personal and professional development the participants are in a good position to present themselves to potential employers and contribute to the workforce.

“Projects like this are needed at a time when unemployment is at a low 3.8 per cent as it enables long-term unemployed people to re-engage with the community and seize opportunities with their updated skills.”

PCYC Association Community Partnership Coordinator Rebecca Pola said participants are getting involved in the project and described the Charters Towers PCYC Revival 2007 as a vital and necessary program with projected positive outcomes.

“As part of their professional growth, participants undertook a community scan on behalf of the PCYC to look at ways the youth club could strengthen their engagement with the neighbourhood,” Ms Pola said.

“While still in its initial stages, the community scan has highlighted a myriad of possible activities and programs young people would like to see in the community such as paintball and movie nights. The results of this scan will be used by PCYC to further our ability to cater to the communities identified needs.

“Although the project is not yet completed it would be safe to say that all six participants, who are diverse in their skills and backgrounds, will be in an excellent position to find work at the end of their training package which includes a certificate in business.”

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 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: Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association NQ Community Partnership Coordinator Rebecca Pola on 0427 112 281 or pcycnydw@bigpond.com

The graduation will take place at the Charters Towers PCYC on Enterprise Road
at 2pm on Wednesday, 19 December, 2007.

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

December 17, 2007