Published Wednesday, 19 December, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Unemployed assist Elliot Heads Life Savers
Ten of Bundaberg’s long-term unemployed who have assisted with the renovation of the Elliot Heads Surf Life Saving Club will graduate from the Queensland Government funded project tomorrow.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the participants had completed a number of jobs on the site and also some accredited training.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative provided $197,400 to Skill Centred Queensland to fund these 16-week paid work placements,” Mr Mickel said.
“In that time they have built a first aid room, installed the posts and fittings for the veranda and renovated some of the toilet facilities.
“Each participant has also completed as many as eight Units from Certificate I in General Construction, gained a construction Blue Card and will also receive a Certificate of Completion from the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations.
“Practical experience and recognised qualifications gives these participants a better chance of moving into the workforce.
“I’m sure the community who visit the Elliot Heads Surf Life Saving Club will appreciate the work these participants have done as well.
“Construction is a growing industry in Bundaberg and elsewhere in Queensland and through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative the State Government can support projects which assist unemployed people to gain the skills to find work in their area.
“With unemployment at a 30-year low of 3.8 per cent the skills the unemployed have and the skills the employers want aren’t the same but this initiative is bridging that gap.”
Skills Centred Queensland Operations Manager Lyn Bartel said the participants have prepared the site, poured a concrete slab and assisted with bricklaying and carpentry.
“The work they’ve done on the site will give them a great start when applying for other jobs in the future,” Ms Bartel said.
“The project included job preparation support which included the job application process and personal development training in areas like setting goals and reliability.
“This has been a great project because it gave the participants new skills while upgrading the facilities at the Surf Life Saving Club.”
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: Skills Centred Queensland Operations Manager Lyn Bartel on 5443 7444 or lyn.bartel@skillcentred.com.au
The graduation will be held at the Elliot Heads Surf Life Saving Club at midday on Thursday December 20.
Ministerial contact: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
December 19, 2007
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the participants had completed a number of jobs on the site and also some accredited training.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative provided $197,400 to Skill Centred Queensland to fund these 16-week paid work placements,” Mr Mickel said.
“In that time they have built a first aid room, installed the posts and fittings for the veranda and renovated some of the toilet facilities.
“Each participant has also completed as many as eight Units from Certificate I in General Construction, gained a construction Blue Card and will also receive a Certificate of Completion from the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations.
“Practical experience and recognised qualifications gives these participants a better chance of moving into the workforce.
“I’m sure the community who visit the Elliot Heads Surf Life Saving Club will appreciate the work these participants have done as well.
“Construction is a growing industry in Bundaberg and elsewhere in Queensland and through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative the State Government can support projects which assist unemployed people to gain the skills to find work in their area.
“With unemployment at a 30-year low of 3.8 per cent the skills the unemployed have and the skills the employers want aren’t the same but this initiative is bridging that gap.”
Skills Centred Queensland Operations Manager Lyn Bartel said the participants have prepared the site, poured a concrete slab and assisted with bricklaying and carpentry.
“The work they’ve done on the site will give them a great start when applying for other jobs in the future,” Ms Bartel said.
“The project included job preparation support which included the job application process and personal development training in areas like setting goals and reliability.
“This has been a great project because it gave the participants new skills while upgrading the facilities at the Surf Life Saving Club.”
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: Skills Centred Queensland Operations Manager Lyn Bartel on 5443 7444 or lyn.bartel@skillcentred.com.au
The graduation will be held at the Elliot Heads Surf Life Saving Club at midday on Thursday December 20.
Ministerial contact: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
December 19, 2007