Published Wednesday, 19 March, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Getting Hervey Bay early school leavers ready for work
The Queensland Government is supporting Glendyne Education and Training to assist 25 early school leavers from Hervey Bay into further training or employment.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara said young people aged between 15 and 17 who have left school early, or are thinking about leaving, face a harder transition into the workforce.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is providing $145,500 in Get Set for Work funding so these 25 young people have an opportunity to develop some trade skills and life experience which will help them start a career,” Mr Mickel said.
“This project is part of our Get Set for Work program which has been a great success in previous years.”
“With Queensland’s growing economy we need our young people to be making meaningful contributions now and in the future rather than falling into unemployment or some other trouble.”
Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara said finding and pursuing a suitable career can be very difficult but Glendyne Education and Training can provide information, advice and training to make that decision easier.
“For young people just starting out, there are a lot of different careers and pathways they can follow to join the workforce and getting some good advice or valuable experience early on can be very important,” Mr McNamara said.
“While unemployment is at a low 3.5 per cent in Queensland some young people are still facing a hard time to get a start in a good, stable job.”
“Through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and especially the Get Set for Work program young people are getting the chance to develop life skills, complete some accredited training and receive on the job experience which will help them compete in the workforce.”
Glendyne Education and Training Executive Manager Paul Suffolk said participants will be able to complete accredited training competencies in engineering, carpentry, information technology, rural studies, retail operations or business administration.
“To help them get the most out of the course we can help improve participants’ literacy and numeracy and self-confidence or help them overcome other barriers that have been holding them back,” Mr Suffolk said.
“We have also organised mentoring programs and fun weekend activities so it isn’t all about class work and participants can connect with each other and their community.”
In 2008 over 2000 young Queenslanders who have left school early or at risk of leaving prior to completing Year 12 will benefit from the $10.6 million statewide Get Set for Work program.
In the most recent survey of Get Set for Work participants three months after leaving the program more than 75 per cent 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: Glendyne Education and Training Centre Principal Ray Kruger on 4128 6199 or glendyne@qb.com.au
Ministerial Contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
March 19, 2008
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara said young people aged between 15 and 17 who have left school early, or are thinking about leaving, face a harder transition into the workforce.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is providing $145,500 in Get Set for Work funding so these 25 young people have an opportunity to develop some trade skills and life experience which will help them start a career,” Mr Mickel said.
“This project is part of our Get Set for Work program which has been a great success in previous years.”
“With Queensland’s growing economy we need our young people to be making meaningful contributions now and in the future rather than falling into unemployment or some other trouble.”
Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara said finding and pursuing a suitable career can be very difficult but Glendyne Education and Training can provide information, advice and training to make that decision easier.
“For young people just starting out, there are a lot of different careers and pathways they can follow to join the workforce and getting some good advice or valuable experience early on can be very important,” Mr McNamara said.
“While unemployment is at a low 3.5 per cent in Queensland some young people are still facing a hard time to get a start in a good, stable job.”
“Through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and especially the Get Set for Work program young people are getting the chance to develop life skills, complete some accredited training and receive on the job experience which will help them compete in the workforce.”
Glendyne Education and Training Executive Manager Paul Suffolk said participants will be able to complete accredited training competencies in engineering, carpentry, information technology, rural studies, retail operations or business administration.
“To help them get the most out of the course we can help improve participants’ literacy and numeracy and self-confidence or help them overcome other barriers that have been holding them back,” Mr Suffolk said.
“We have also organised mentoring programs and fun weekend activities so it isn’t all about class work and participants can connect with each other and their community.”
In 2008 over 2000 young Queenslanders who have left school early or at risk of leaving prior to completing Year 12 will benefit from the $10.6 million statewide Get Set for Work program.
In the most recent survey of Get Set for Work participants three months after leaving the program more than 75 per cent 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: Glendyne Education and Training Centre Principal Ray Kruger on 4128 6199 or glendyne@qb.com.au
Ministerial Contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
March 19, 2008