Stress on Mareeba’s workforce set to ease by mid-2008

Workforce pressures will ease in the Mareeba and Tableland districts thanks to a $274,000 Skilling Queenslanders for Work funded project that will supply the area with 20 skilled horticultural workers by mid-2008.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said it was good to see assertive and effective action being taken to help ease labour shortages.

“The Queensland Government is committed to supplying regions feeling the stresses of labour shortages with the resources needed to maintain strength in our valuable industries,” Mr Mickel said.

“Queensland prides itself on its quality horticultural sector and it is important to skill as many local people as we can to contribute to this industry.

“Participants will be paid to work at a purpose built nursery, receive on-site training and work on community projects to develop relevant skills and experience.

“Any products from the nursery will be distributed to community groups such as aged care facilities and Indigenous groups, benefiting the neighbourhood and the participants’ sense of contribution.”

Community Development Manager Mary Francis said participants train and gain hands-on experience to increase their opportunities of securing local employment in our horticultural and agricultural industries.

“Training will be provided for a General Safety induction ticket and recognised training under the Amenity Horticulture training package,” Ms Francis said.

“We expect a number of positive outcomes at the end of this project particularly because of our well-established labour hire service and the excellent relationships we have with local businesses and farmers.”

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 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: Quality Industry Training and Employment Community Development Manager Mary Francis on 4092 9717 or mfrancis@qite.com

Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown on 32371944 or Shannon Mackay on 32371125

January 24, 2008