Published Thursday, 24 January, 2008 at 08:11 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Cooloola community projects mean skills for disadvantaged
Increased Queensland Government funding is allowing Gympie & District Landcare Group to expand a skilling project offering disadvantaged jobseekers skills and paid work on local environmental projects.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work project would benefit from an extra $168,670, taking the funding total to $402,180.
“The original project gave 35 long-term unemployed participants skills in the boom industries of construction and landscaping – where employers are currently struggling to find suitable staff,” Mr Mickel said.
“The extra money will fund four more community-based projects that will give 12 participants paid work, accredited training and employment assistance.
“By giving disadvantaged jobseekers training and experience in skill shortage areas we help to fill workforce gaps and ensure the continued health of our economy.“
Gympie Landcare Project Co-ordinator Elaine Bradley said participants will install infrastructure at the Gympie Landcare Nursery as part of a water efficiency and recycling project.
“The second project will involve participants in monitoring the success of rehabilitation and weed control at Six Mile Creek,” Ms Bradley said.
“In the third project, participants will help construct a bio-control agent breeding facility as part of the wider Mary River Water Weeds Management Project.
“Participants will work on revegetation along the Mary River next to the Gympie Excelsior Reserve netball courts on the fourth project.”
“Through this work, participants will gain skills in drainage, set-up irrigation, establish aquaculture systems, prepare pavement, lay bitumen, nursery and shed construction, site preparation, plant identification, planting techniques and bio-control agent release techniques,” she said.
“They will also undertake a Construction Safety Induction Course and get training in job searching to build on their practical experience and increase their chances of finding work.”
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in this 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.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative 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.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.
Contact: Gympie Landcare Project Coordinator Elaine Bradley on 5483 8866 or admin@gympielandcare.org.au
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown on 32371944 or Shannon Mackay on 32371125
January 24, 2008
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work project would benefit from an extra $168,670, taking the funding total to $402,180.
“The original project gave 35 long-term unemployed participants skills in the boom industries of construction and landscaping – where employers are currently struggling to find suitable staff,” Mr Mickel said.
“The extra money will fund four more community-based projects that will give 12 participants paid work, accredited training and employment assistance.
“By giving disadvantaged jobseekers training and experience in skill shortage areas we help to fill workforce gaps and ensure the continued health of our economy.“
Gympie Landcare Project Co-ordinator Elaine Bradley said participants will install infrastructure at the Gympie Landcare Nursery as part of a water efficiency and recycling project.
“The second project will involve participants in monitoring the success of rehabilitation and weed control at Six Mile Creek,” Ms Bradley said.
“In the third project, participants will help construct a bio-control agent breeding facility as part of the wider Mary River Water Weeds Management Project.
“Participants will work on revegetation along the Mary River next to the Gympie Excelsior Reserve netball courts on the fourth project.”
“Through this work, participants will gain skills in drainage, set-up irrigation, establish aquaculture systems, prepare pavement, lay bitumen, nursery and shed construction, site preparation, plant identification, planting techniques and bio-control agent release techniques,” she said.
“They will also undertake a Construction Safety Induction Course and get training in job searching to build on their practical experience and increase their chances of finding work.”
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in this 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.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative 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.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.
Contact: Gympie Landcare Project Coordinator Elaine Bradley on 5483 8866 or admin@gympielandcare.org.au
Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown on 32371944 or Shannon Mackay on 32371125
January 24, 2008