Digital age brings rural and remote communities skills training

Two hundred and seventy-five rural and remote Queensland jobseekers will benefit from a state government funded Skilling Queenslanders for Work grant to provide skills and training.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said Brisbane North Institute of TAFE had been funded $279,600 for Learning Network Queensland to run the Back to Work project.

“Rural and remote communities are often alienated from key services and are ideally placed to benefit from new communications technologies,” Mr Mickel said.

“The project offers a flexible approach with an adult learning environment as the training will be delivered through face-to-face and online forums and small groups – both self-paced and facilitated by local coordinators.

“Training will be delivered in 20 communities across Queensland including Atherton, Bowen, Cairns and Mackay, in Rockhampton and on the Capricorn Coast, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Hervey Bay and Maryborough.

“It will also be delivered in Roma, Stanthorpe, St George, Toowoomba and in Crows Nest.”

Learning Network Queensland’s Education and Innovation Manager Allan Trevaskis said

Eighty-five hours of training will be delivered to each of the 275 participants.

“Training will comprise job search, skills recognition, basic computer training including Microsoft Word and Internet, resume writing, interview skills and application writing skills,” Mr Trevaskis said.

“Participants will be offered a combination of accredited and non-accredited training.

“The accredited training consists of three units from Certificate I in IT.''

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: Brisbane North TAFE Education and Innovation Manager Allan Trevaskis

on 3225 8898 or a.trevaskis@LNQ.net.au

Ministerial contacts: Shannon Mackay 3237 1125

December 20, 2007