Employment options for Cloncurry people

Cloncurry’s unemployed are being helped back into the workforce with support from the Queensland Government.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said IsaSKILLS had received $82,880 from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to organise the Cloncurry Employment Options project.

“Through this project 75 people will receive the training they need to find and start new jobs,’’ Mr Mickel said.

“Brushing up on writing skills for resumes and job applications and working on communication and interview techniques can really help people through the process.”

Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said Queensland’s growing economy needed to find more workers to keep the good times going.

“Already our workforce participation rate is equal with the highest on record and our unemployment rate is at a low 3.9 per cent,” Mrs Kiernan said.

“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative can help more unemployed people into the workforce through projects like this and they can also encourage other people to start searching for work again.”

IsaSKILLS Training Services Manager Steve Rumens said the course covered motivation and confidence building as well as computer use.

“People who have been out of the workforce for a significant period of time can fall behind on some of the basic skills we use in any workplace but through this project they can get back in touch,” Mr Rumens said.

“Workplace communication for example is different from how we talk to family and friends but it is one of the basic skills required to be a good team member.

“With this training people can move into the workforce or start some other training or education to get into the job they want.”

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: IsaSKILLS Training Services Manager Steve Rumens on 4743 4595 or atn@isaskills.org

Member for Mount Isa contact: (Cloncurry office) 4742 2530

Ministerial contact: Shannon Mackay 3237 1125

December 28, 2007