Eight Indigenous locals set to revamp community housing

Eight Indigenous participants will renovate five Black Community Housing Service properties in the Logan area thanks to an $113,060 Skilling Queenslanders for Work grant.

The project is part of a million dollar Queensland Government funding engaging BoysTown to deliver job preparation and work placement activities.

Member for Woodridge Desley Scott said the project will effectively increase the participants’ skills base and provide adequate shelter for disadvantaged Indigenous families in Brisbane.

“This project specifically targets disadvantaged young Indigenous people to give them paid work placements which are a practical way of offering relevant experience and the chance to give back to the community,” Mrs Scott said.

“The low 3.9% unemployment rate has meant that Logan, like many other regions, is currently suffering skills shortages in industries such as construction and by training capable and willing participants it will result in substantial improvements in the area.

Mrs Scott said the eight participants will develop skills in fencing, painting, demolition and concreting which will benefit employers and their future working lives.

“These skills will never go astray and will continue to improve through practical application and additional training,” she said.

BoysTown Program Coordinator Brendan Bourke said the participants will undertake core and elective modules from the work placement training as well as assistance with communication, relationship development and life skills.

“An experienced builder will supervise participants to enhance the aesthetics, safety and functionality of five houses in need of renovation.

“The residences are five of 50 properties owned by Black Community Housing Service used to provide subsidised accommodation to disadvantaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

“There are currently 100 families on the rental waiting list and this project is a good way of addressing the availability of housing and skilling Indigenous people in the area.”

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: BoysTown Project Coordinator Brendan Bourke on 07 3368 3399 or bbourke@boystown.com.au

Member for Woodridge contact: 3808 5212

Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Shannon Mackay on 3237 1125

January 16, 2008