Published Wednesday, 04 June, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Warwick project readies young people for work
Eight young Warwick people will be ready for work when they graduate tomorrow from the employment project which saw them doing some minor construction work at the old Cobb & Co Inn at the corner of Wood and Wantley Streets.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the group completed a Queensland Government funded Get Set for Work project and are now better prepared to join the workforce.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is funding $108,000 to Southern Downs Industry Education Association to organise this project and these participants are the first to graduate from this year’s intake” Mr Mickel said.
“Get Set for Work aims to assist 15 to 17 year-olds who have left school early or are at-risk of disengaging from mainstream education.
“The transition from school to work is demanding and projects like this help young people prepare for employment by developing their life, social and work skills. Getting a job is a big change and a bit of self-confidence can go a long way for these young people.
“While unemployment is at a low 3.6 per cent in Queensland, it is important to remember employers are still looking for workers and our young people should be supported and assisted to meet some of that demand.”
The graduation will be held at Abbey of the Roses, 8 Locke Street, Warwick at 6:00pm on Thursday June 5.
Southern Downs Industry Education Association’s Get Set for Work Project Coordinator Grace Smith said working on the heritage listed building was a wonderful experience for the participants.
“They were working under the supervision of a qualified builder on a valuable community facility and it is great the building’s owners, the Warwick Church of Christ, gave them this opportunity,” Ms Smith said.
“Already some of these young people are getting into the workforce. One participant has found a full-time job with a new retirement village in Warwick.
“It has been great to see the development in these young people and we’re looking forward to the next intake starting in July.”
In 2008 more than 2000 young Queenslanders who leave school early or are at risk of not 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 conducted 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 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: Southern Downs Industry Education Association Get Set for Work Project Coordinator Grace Smith on 4666 9218 or grace.smith@eq.edu.au
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
June 4, 2008
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the group completed a Queensland Government funded Get Set for Work project and are now better prepared to join the workforce.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is funding $108,000 to Southern Downs Industry Education Association to organise this project and these participants are the first to graduate from this year’s intake” Mr Mickel said.
“Get Set for Work aims to assist 15 to 17 year-olds who have left school early or are at-risk of disengaging from mainstream education.
“The transition from school to work is demanding and projects like this help young people prepare for employment by developing their life, social and work skills. Getting a job is a big change and a bit of self-confidence can go a long way for these young people.
“While unemployment is at a low 3.6 per cent in Queensland, it is important to remember employers are still looking for workers and our young people should be supported and assisted to meet some of that demand.”
The graduation will be held at Abbey of the Roses, 8 Locke Street, Warwick at 6:00pm on Thursday June 5.
Southern Downs Industry Education Association’s Get Set for Work Project Coordinator Grace Smith said working on the heritage listed building was a wonderful experience for the participants.
“They were working under the supervision of a qualified builder on a valuable community facility and it is great the building’s owners, the Warwick Church of Christ, gave them this opportunity,” Ms Smith said.
“Already some of these young people are getting into the workforce. One participant has found a full-time job with a new retirement village in Warwick.
“It has been great to see the development in these young people and we’re looking forward to the next intake starting in July.”
In 2008 more than 2000 young Queenslanders who leave school early or are at risk of not 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 conducted 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 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: Southern Downs Industry Education Association Get Set for Work Project Coordinator Grace Smith on 4666 9218 or grace.smith@eq.edu.au
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
June 4, 2008