Published Friday, 20 June, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Mary Valley unemployed get set for construction jobs
Twelve unemployed people from Gympie and the Mary Valley will receive training and paid work in the construction industry thanks to a Queensland Government Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative grant of $161,340.
Over 14 weeks, participants will make improvements to infrastructure at Mary Valley College in Imbil.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the Australian Industry Engineering Manufacturing Network Cooperative (AIEM) received $161,340 for Skilling the Valley – Stage 1 under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
“The proposed Traveston Crossing Dam and Bruce Highway Upgrade projects will provide many opportunities for Mary Valley residents to enter the job market,” Mr Mickel said.
“Even though unemployment is at a low 3.8 per cent in Queensland, it is important to remember there are still people who are having difficulty finding work.
“This project will open up doors to employment for the participants and with an ageing population we are going to need all the people we can get joining the workforce.
“The key to doing this is to help people build the skills needed by employers and industry.”
Works include a set-down area with wheelchair access, a path to the new gymnasium, a new cricket pitch and replacement fencing in the cricket practice area, painting and landscaping.
Participants will gain skills in workplace health and safety, using hand and power tools, reading plans, teamwork, communication and problem-solving and complete accredited training with the Wide Bay Institute of TAFE.
AIEM General Manager Richard Krause said the Cooperative supported local businesses and people.
“We are committed to keeping businesses in the Wide Bay/Burnett region and increasing the opportunities for engineering and manufacturing work,” he said.
“As part of this, we need to have the people with the skills and ability to work on these new projects and Skilling the Valley is the first step in achieving our aim.
“In return, the project participants will have access to our local members for support and assistance with finding ongoing employment.”
During 2008/09 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 15,000 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 71 per cent of participants are in employment or further training.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative 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: AIEM General Manager Richard Krause on 4121 7856 or richard@aiemnet.com
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
June 20, 2008
Over 14 weeks, participants will make improvements to infrastructure at Mary Valley College in Imbil.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the Australian Industry Engineering Manufacturing Network Cooperative (AIEM) received $161,340 for Skilling the Valley – Stage 1 under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
“The proposed Traveston Crossing Dam and Bruce Highway Upgrade projects will provide many opportunities for Mary Valley residents to enter the job market,” Mr Mickel said.
“Even though unemployment is at a low 3.8 per cent in Queensland, it is important to remember there are still people who are having difficulty finding work.
“This project will open up doors to employment for the participants and with an ageing population we are going to need all the people we can get joining the workforce.
“The key to doing this is to help people build the skills needed by employers and industry.”
Works include a set-down area with wheelchair access, a path to the new gymnasium, a new cricket pitch and replacement fencing in the cricket practice area, painting and landscaping.
Participants will gain skills in workplace health and safety, using hand and power tools, reading plans, teamwork, communication and problem-solving and complete accredited training with the Wide Bay Institute of TAFE.
AIEM General Manager Richard Krause said the Cooperative supported local businesses and people.
“We are committed to keeping businesses in the Wide Bay/Burnett region and increasing the opportunities for engineering and manufacturing work,” he said.
“As part of this, we need to have the people with the skills and ability to work on these new projects and Skilling the Valley is the first step in achieving our aim.
“In return, the project participants will have access to our local members for support and assistance with finding ongoing employment.”
During 2008/09 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 15,000 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 71 per cent of participants are in employment or further training.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative 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: AIEM General Manager Richard Krause on 4121 7856 or richard@aiemnet.com
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
June 20, 2008