Ipswich project assisting early school leavers
Published Friday, 18 January, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
BoysTown and the State Government have teamed up to assist 42 early school leavers from around Ipswich.
Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative will provide $254,500 to fund the Get Set for Work project.
“Some people aged between 15 and 17 might not feel that school is the best use of their time and this year-long project gives them a chance to understand and evaluate the different options available to them,” Ms Nolan said.
“It will address participants’ literacy and numeracy skills and personal development so that they can return to school and get more out of it.
“It also offers some accredited training, employment preparation and workplace visits so they are also better prepared to take on a TAFE course or start a job.”
Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan said the project offered young people who are at risk of long-term unemployment the support and assistance they need to avoid that outcome.
“Assisting these young people will help our community and our economy,” Ms Nolan said.
“While unemployment is at a low 3.9 per cent, our youth unemployment is more than three times higher. This is at a time when Queensland’s economy is one of the strongest in Australia and employers are struggling with labour and skills shortages.
“The State Government is funding Get Set for Work projects throughout Queensland so at-risk youth can make an informed decision about their futures.”
BoysTown Regional Manager Sarai Tuuga said participants can complete a variety of accredited training throughout the project.
“They will complete a Certificate I in Skills for the Future and Challenge Employment and Training are also offered the chance to sample some vocational training in engineering, retail, horticulture and information technology,” Ms Tuuga said.
“This variety means we can offer something to interest to each participant. The course also includes adventure-based learning so they can have some fun and Save-A-Mate program which is a drug education and first aid course will help them feel more responsible.”
“In particular we are looking to engage with young people from Pacific Island backgrounds and BoysTown itself has a number of Polynesian staff who can help them get all they can out of this course.”
In 2008 over 2000 ‘at risk’ young Queenslanders will benefit from the $10.6 million statewide Get Set for Work program.
In the most recent survey of participants three months after leaving the program more than 75% were in work or study.
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 13387 8800 or bbourke@boystown.com.au
Member for Ipswich contact: 3202 3452
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Shannon Mackay on 3237 1125
January 18, 2008
Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative will provide $254,500 to fund the Get Set for Work project.
“Some people aged between 15 and 17 might not feel that school is the best use of their time and this year-long project gives them a chance to understand and evaluate the different options available to them,” Ms Nolan said.
“It will address participants’ literacy and numeracy skills and personal development so that they can return to school and get more out of it.
“It also offers some accredited training, employment preparation and workplace visits so they are also better prepared to take on a TAFE course or start a job.”
Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan said the project offered young people who are at risk of long-term unemployment the support and assistance they need to avoid that outcome.
“Assisting these young people will help our community and our economy,” Ms Nolan said.
“While unemployment is at a low 3.9 per cent, our youth unemployment is more than three times higher. This is at a time when Queensland’s economy is one of the strongest in Australia and employers are struggling with labour and skills shortages.
“The State Government is funding Get Set for Work projects throughout Queensland so at-risk youth can make an informed decision about their futures.”
BoysTown Regional Manager Sarai Tuuga said participants can complete a variety of accredited training throughout the project.
“They will complete a Certificate I in Skills for the Future and Challenge Employment and Training are also offered the chance to sample some vocational training in engineering, retail, horticulture and information technology,” Ms Tuuga said.
“This variety means we can offer something to interest to each participant. The course also includes adventure-based learning so they can have some fun and Save-A-Mate program which is a drug education and first aid course will help them feel more responsible.”
“In particular we are looking to engage with young people from Pacific Island backgrounds and BoysTown itself has a number of Polynesian staff who can help them get all they can out of this course.”
In 2008 over 2000 ‘at risk’ young Queenslanders will benefit from the $10.6 million statewide Get Set for Work program.
In the most recent survey of participants three months after leaving the program more than 75% were in work or study.
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 13387 8800 or bbourke@boystown.com.au
Member for Ipswich contact: 3202 3452
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Shannon Mackay on 3237 1125
January 18, 2008