Published Thursday, 21 August, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
80 South-West Queenslanders to meet driver demand
People affected by the drought in southern Queensland can take advantage of a $174,730 jobs project to help them move into transport industry jobs.
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said project organisers, Ozcare, will help meet local demand for truck drivers while giving unemployed people the skills they need to obtain work in transport.
“Eighty people from Goondiwindi, St George, Tara, Dalby, Warwick and Toowoomba will complete a two-week introduction course to the transport industry,” he said.
“This will give participants the opportunity to upgrade their licences so they can drive trucks and other heavy vehicles, and move into the many jobs already available.”
Under the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, participants will gain general industry knowledge including driving and transport regulations, securing cargo, completing log books, fatigue management and workplace health and safety issues.
Up to 10 driving lessons will also be provided for each participant.
Mr Mickel said Queensland’s unemployment rate is at a low 3.8 per cent but there are still people who have difficulty finding work.
“With the reality of an ageing workforce, we need all the people who want to work participating in the workforce,” he said.
“Currently the transport industry doesn’t have the skilled workers required to fill vacancies.
“So this project will help people build the skills needed by employers and industry and encourage a culture of training and development for drivers.”
Ozcare Executive Manager Gavin Wright said the program aims to give rural families hope for the future.
“People on the land are doing it tough,” he said.
“By using the skills they already have, farmers can look at new career options and secure a more positive future for their families.”
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 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: Ozcare Executive Manager Gavin Wright on 3028 9035 or gavinwr@ozcare.org.au
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
August 21, 2008
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said project organisers, Ozcare, will help meet local demand for truck drivers while giving unemployed people the skills they need to obtain work in transport.
“Eighty people from Goondiwindi, St George, Tara, Dalby, Warwick and Toowoomba will complete a two-week introduction course to the transport industry,” he said.
“This will give participants the opportunity to upgrade their licences so they can drive trucks and other heavy vehicles, and move into the many jobs already available.”
Under the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, participants will gain general industry knowledge including driving and transport regulations, securing cargo, completing log books, fatigue management and workplace health and safety issues.
Up to 10 driving lessons will also be provided for each participant.
Mr Mickel said Queensland’s unemployment rate is at a low 3.8 per cent but there are still people who have difficulty finding work.
“With the reality of an ageing workforce, we need all the people who want to work participating in the workforce,” he said.
“Currently the transport industry doesn’t have the skilled workers required to fill vacancies.
“So this project will help people build the skills needed by employers and industry and encourage a culture of training and development for drivers.”
Ozcare Executive Manager Gavin Wright said the program aims to give rural families hope for the future.
“People on the land are doing it tough,” he said.
“By using the skills they already have, farmers can look at new career options and secure a more positive future for their families.”
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 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: Ozcare Executive Manager Gavin Wright on 3028 9035 or gavinwr@ozcare.org.au
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
August 21, 2008