Sunshine Coast childcare options set to increase in Wide Bay

Childcare options in Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast are set for a boost with the announcement of a new Queensland Government funded skilling project.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said Sunshine Coast TAFE would run the project with the help of a $36,340 Skilling Queenslanders for Work grant.

“Parents are finding it increasingly hard to find quality care for their children as a result of growing skill shortages within the childcare industry,” Mr Mickel said.

“This project will give 49 participants training in childcare - 12 in Noosa, 15 in Maroochy and
22 in Caloundra.

“Project participants will be existing carers who must undergo extra training to meet the standards that the industry now requires.

“The project will open up options for sustainable work not only to project participants, but also for parents who would like to work more but can’t find quality childcare options.”
Sunshine Coast TAFE Industry Training Manager Christine Schultheis said participants would study seven units towards Certificate III in Children’s Services.

The training will be delivered with a contribution of $96,853 from the Department of Education, Training and the Arts.

During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest approximately $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.

More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.

Contact: Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE Industry Training Manager
Christine Schultheis on 5459 3705 or christine.schultheis@deta.qld.gov.au

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

January 25, 2008