Published Tuesday, 22 January, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Project assisting Central Queensland’s young unemployed
Community Employment Options Inc has received funding from the Queensland Government to assist young people aged between 15 and 17 in Central Queensland who have dropped out of school.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten said a $259,910 grant from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative will give 50 people from Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Mount Morgan a place in the Get Set for Work program.
“Young people leaving school without a firm plan for their future are at a real risk of long-term unemployment,” Mr Mickel said.
“If they don’t move into work or some other training program they can be left behind because they won’t have the skills or experience to find work on their own.
“Get Set for Work is a very successful program because it provides young people with a structured program different from school, which will build up their confidence and motivation while teaching them about the options they can pursue in the future.”
Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten said addressing youth unemployment has its challenges but the benefits are worth it.
“Labour and skills shortages are affecting our economic growth and the only solution is to find more workers and support skills training in the areas we need,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Getting more young people into the workforce or into training will help address those needs and the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative provides an important pathway to reach that goal.
“This project is part of more than $1.1 million in funding for 200 Get Set for Work places in Central Queensland.”
Community Employment Options Chief Executive Officer Peter Callaghan said participants will complete some modules from the Certificate I in Business which will give them an understanding of what further training involves and what it can do for them.
“To help people into employment the project covers communication, self-esteem, how to search for a job and writing resumes and job applications. We will also be organising industry tours so participants can meet employers and see their workplaces.”
In 2008 over 2000 young Queenslanders who leave school early or are ‘at risk’ of not completing Year 12 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: Community Employment Options Chief Executive Officer Peter Callaghan on 4922 6122 or pcallaghan@employment.org.au
Member for Rockhampton contact: 4927 5299
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Shannon Mackay on 3237 1125
January 22, 2008
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten said a $259,910 grant from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative will give 50 people from Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Mount Morgan a place in the Get Set for Work program.
“Young people leaving school without a firm plan for their future are at a real risk of long-term unemployment,” Mr Mickel said.
“If they don’t move into work or some other training program they can be left behind because they won’t have the skills or experience to find work on their own.
“Get Set for Work is a very successful program because it provides young people with a structured program different from school, which will build up their confidence and motivation while teaching them about the options they can pursue in the future.”
Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten said addressing youth unemployment has its challenges but the benefits are worth it.
“Labour and skills shortages are affecting our economic growth and the only solution is to find more workers and support skills training in the areas we need,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Getting more young people into the workforce or into training will help address those needs and the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative provides an important pathway to reach that goal.
“This project is part of more than $1.1 million in funding for 200 Get Set for Work places in Central Queensland.”
Community Employment Options Chief Executive Officer Peter Callaghan said participants will complete some modules from the Certificate I in Business which will give them an understanding of what further training involves and what it can do for them.
“To help people into employment the project covers communication, self-esteem, how to search for a job and writing resumes and job applications. We will also be organising industry tours so participants can meet employers and see their workplaces.”
In 2008 over 2000 young Queenslanders who leave school early or are ‘at risk’ of not completing Year 12 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: Community Employment Options Chief Executive Officer Peter Callaghan on 4922 6122 or pcallaghan@employment.org.au
Member for Rockhampton contact: 4927 5299
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Shannon Mackay on 3237 1125
January 22, 2008