Published Monday, 26 May, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Jumbun Farm workers to grow job skills
The Indigenous Land Corporation and Queensland Government have joined forces to tackle the shortage of skilled farm workers in the Tully area.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said six unemployed Indigenous people were completing an 18-week paid work placement on Jumbun Farm at Murray Upper, between Caldwell and Tully.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is providing $87,330 for stage two of the Jumbun Agricultural Development project” Mr Mickel said.
“The Indigenous participants will be establishing a market garden for the Jumbun community and commercial production of several crops. Participants will also be rebuilding cattle yards and installing stock waters. They will be learning about cattle management and performing other property management duties.
“Improving the facilities on the farm, while developing new skills and understanding, will give these participants a better chance of finding ongoing work, either at Jumbun or on other local properties.
“Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders are over represented amongst the 3.6 per cent of Queenslanders who are unemployed and with a strong economy we need to address this imbalance.
“The Jumbun Agricultural Development project is an example of how the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative offers specific pathways for people to develop the skills they need to find stable work.”
Indigenous Land Corporation General Manager David Galvin said its investment of $120,000 funding and in-kind support for Stage 2 of the project would also include accredited training for participants.
“As part of their paid work placements they will have the opportunity to complete some training from the Certificate III Rural Production,” Mr Galvin said.
“Doing recognised training along with 18 weeks of practical experience will assist participants to obtain agricultural work in the mainstream farming sector.
“In addition, this project will return Jumbun farm to a productive state, allowing several of these workers to be employed on an ongoing basis.”
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 assistance 69 per cent of participants are in employment or further training.
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: Indigenous Land Corporation Manager Public Affairs Eric Roberts
on 0417 818482 or eric.roberts@ilc.gov.au
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
May 26, 2008
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said six unemployed Indigenous people were completing an 18-week paid work placement on Jumbun Farm at Murray Upper, between Caldwell and Tully.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is providing $87,330 for stage two of the Jumbun Agricultural Development project” Mr Mickel said.
“The Indigenous participants will be establishing a market garden for the Jumbun community and commercial production of several crops. Participants will also be rebuilding cattle yards and installing stock waters. They will be learning about cattle management and performing other property management duties.
“Improving the facilities on the farm, while developing new skills and understanding, will give these participants a better chance of finding ongoing work, either at Jumbun or on other local properties.
“Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders are over represented amongst the 3.6 per cent of Queenslanders who are unemployed and with a strong economy we need to address this imbalance.
“The Jumbun Agricultural Development project is an example of how the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative offers specific pathways for people to develop the skills they need to find stable work.”
Indigenous Land Corporation General Manager David Galvin said its investment of $120,000 funding and in-kind support for Stage 2 of the project would also include accredited training for participants.
“As part of their paid work placements they will have the opportunity to complete some training from the Certificate III Rural Production,” Mr Galvin said.
“Doing recognised training along with 18 weeks of practical experience will assist participants to obtain agricultural work in the mainstream farming sector.
“In addition, this project will return Jumbun farm to a productive state, allowing several of these workers to be employed on an ongoing basis.”
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 assistance 69 per cent of participants are in employment or further training.
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: Indigenous Land Corporation Manager Public Affairs Eric Roberts
on 0417 818482 or eric.roberts@ilc.gov.au
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
May 26, 2008