Published Thursday, 20 December, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Migrants, refugees hop into hospitality in Moorooka
Twenty-two local refugees and newly arrived migrants are getting paid work and valuable skills at the newly opened Mu’ooz Community Restaurant and catering service in Moorooka on a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Yeerongpilly Simon Finn said Spiral Community Hub has been awarded $266,770 to run the project to employ participants to work for 14 weeks at the community restaurant.
“Hospitality businesses are struggling to find staff and this Queensland Government funding will mean 22 more people are job ready to take up posts in the industry,” Mr Mickel said.
“When low unemployment rates turn to skills shortages it’s vital to give everyone the skills for work.”
“These newly arrived Australians are hard working and ready to make a go of it – and it’s our responsibility to empower them with the skills to do so.
Member for Yeerongpilly Simon Finn said the restaurant will serve as a meeting point and focal hub for the African community.
“The restaurant will service Moorooka and surrounding suburbs with very low cost meals for disadvantaged members of the local area,” Mr Finn said.
“We are hoping it will also act as an ongoing training facility for refugees and newly arrived Australians.”
Spiral Coordinator Amelia Salmon said participants are learning about safe working practices; food preparation, stock systems, menu planning, coffee and beverage making, customer service and teamwork.
“Participants are also undertaking accredited vocational training in competencies from Certificate II in Hospitality through the Southbank Institute of Technology COTAH campus,”
Ms Salmon said.
“All participants will be offered post participation support for up to six months to monitor their progress and give them the best chance of turning their experience into sustainable work.”
The funding for training will be provided through a $60,445 direct grant from the Department of Education, Training and the Arts and $126,400 has been contributed by the Australian government.
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest approximately $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.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.
Contact: Spiral Community Hub Coordinator Amelia Salmon on 38447733 or asalmon@spiral.org.au
Member for Yeerongpilly contact: 3848 4410
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
December 20, 2007
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Yeerongpilly Simon Finn said Spiral Community Hub has been awarded $266,770 to run the project to employ participants to work for 14 weeks at the community restaurant.
“Hospitality businesses are struggling to find staff and this Queensland Government funding will mean 22 more people are job ready to take up posts in the industry,” Mr Mickel said.
“When low unemployment rates turn to skills shortages it’s vital to give everyone the skills for work.”
“These newly arrived Australians are hard working and ready to make a go of it – and it’s our responsibility to empower them with the skills to do so.
Member for Yeerongpilly Simon Finn said the restaurant will serve as a meeting point and focal hub for the African community.
“The restaurant will service Moorooka and surrounding suburbs with very low cost meals for disadvantaged members of the local area,” Mr Finn said.
“We are hoping it will also act as an ongoing training facility for refugees and newly arrived Australians.”
Spiral Coordinator Amelia Salmon said participants are learning about safe working practices; food preparation, stock systems, menu planning, coffee and beverage making, customer service and teamwork.
“Participants are also undertaking accredited vocational training in competencies from Certificate II in Hospitality through the Southbank Institute of Technology COTAH campus,”
Ms Salmon said.
“All participants will be offered post participation support for up to six months to monitor their progress and give them the best chance of turning their experience into sustainable work.”
The funding for training will be provided through a $60,445 direct grant from the Department of Education, Training and the Arts and $126,400 has been contributed by the Australian government.
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest approximately $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.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.
Contact: Spiral Community Hub Coordinator Amelia Salmon on 38447733 or asalmon@spiral.org.au
Member for Yeerongpilly contact: 3848 4410
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
December 20, 2007