Disability services training for unemployed in Mackay

Twenty-four unemployed people from Mackay will develop skills needed to find work supporting people with disabilities thanks to funding from the Queensland Government.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin said the group would complete a mix of job preparation and accredited training to be job ready when they graduate.

“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is providing $72,700 to MADEC to organise this project,” Mr Mickel said.

“Participants will complete three modules from the Certificate III in Disability Work as well as their Senior First Aid qualification.

“This project will give unemployed and underemployed people the skills they need to find more meaningful employment.”

Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin said the disability services industry was important and rewarding work.

“There is also a need among employers for more staff with skills suited to this industry,” Mr Mulherin said.

“This Skilling Queenslanders for Work project gives unemployed people a path into the workforce but also offers low-skilled workers the training they need to find a more meaningful job with the extra hours they want.

“With Queensland’s strong economy and a low unemployment rate of 3.9 per cent these projects provide the training to assist more unemployed people and others who are outside the workforce into jobs.”

MADEC Training Manager Jenine Bailey said completing the project would develop participants’ self-confidence and skills.

“As a disability service provider, participants will also be able to complete some work experience with us so they’ll see how their new skills are used in the workplace,” Ms Bailey said.

“Participants will complete the project in groups of eight so they will receive the support they need and will be on their way to earning a recognised qualification if they want to pursue further training. The next intakes for the project are February 18 and March 31.

“Many of these participants might not have thought about working in disability services so this project will be good for the industry as well as the unemployed.”

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

Contact: MADEC Training Manager Jenine Bailey on 4951 1233 or j_bailey@madec.org.au

Member for Mackay contact: 4957 8422

Ministerial contact: Shannon Mackay 3237 1125

December 28, 2007