Published Friday, 22 August, 2008 at 08:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
ACCES helps hundreds of multicultural jobseekers in the south-east
Over the past 11 months ACCES Services Inc. has assisted 500 migrants and refugees residing in the Brisbane South and Gold Coast region through job preparation activities, accredited training and work placements.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the Queensland Government has provided more than $1.6 million in funding under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to assist the jobseekers, of which 300 have secured employment and another 37 are in further training.
“While some participants have only just finished their projects others are still in training and I am confident those who have begun their job searching will be in employment shortly,” Mr Mickel said.
“This has been an extensive project, skilling participants for a range of industries including aged care, child care, construction, administration, warehousing, housekeeping and industrial sewing.
“With the current labour and skills shortages we need to get as many people participating in the workforce as possible and this project is just one example of the government effectively using resources to address the issue.
“ACCES Services Inc. has delivered similar employment projects in the past and over the last three years has achieved an outstanding 78 per cent employment and training outcomes.”
“Throughout the course of the project over 126 participants have undergone accredited training to attain certificates in IT, clothing production, children services, hospitality operations, transport and distribution, construction blue card and a driver’s licence.
“Another 80 participants have gained valuable experience on paid work placements allowing them the opportunity to gain industry skills while being exposed to Australian work practices and culture.”
ACCES Services Inc. Employment Manager Michael Krafft said work placements and site visits were hosted by a number of organisations including Australia Post, Griffith University and various child care and aged care facilities where industry professionals were able to supervise participants and offer valuable advice.
“Participants have come from an array of backgrounds including Sudanese, Kurdish, Iranian, Iraqi, Burmese and Vietnamese and their integration into the workforce helps to enrich Queensland’s diversity and multiculturalism,” Mr Krafft said.
“Ruben Neeranjan is an excellent example of the success of this project with his recent appointment as an Administration Officer at the Supreme and District Court Registries.
“Ruben, originally from Malaysia, worked as a Business Development Manager prior to his arrival in Australia in 2000.
“After having difficulty sustaining employment Ruben registered with ACCES Services Inc. in 2007 and with some assistance with interview techniques, job searching and understanding the Australian workplace culture, Ruben was successful in his application with the Department of Justice and Attorney General.”
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.
The 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 ACCES Services Inc. Employment Manager Michael Krafft on 3412 8222 or Michaelk@asi.org.au
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
August 22, 2008
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the Queensland Government has provided more than $1.6 million in funding under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to assist the jobseekers, of which 300 have secured employment and another 37 are in further training.
“While some participants have only just finished their projects others are still in training and I am confident those who have begun their job searching will be in employment shortly,” Mr Mickel said.
“This has been an extensive project, skilling participants for a range of industries including aged care, child care, construction, administration, warehousing, housekeeping and industrial sewing.
“With the current labour and skills shortages we need to get as many people participating in the workforce as possible and this project is just one example of the government effectively using resources to address the issue.
“ACCES Services Inc. has delivered similar employment projects in the past and over the last three years has achieved an outstanding 78 per cent employment and training outcomes.”
“Throughout the course of the project over 126 participants have undergone accredited training to attain certificates in IT, clothing production, children services, hospitality operations, transport and distribution, construction blue card and a driver’s licence.
“Another 80 participants have gained valuable experience on paid work placements allowing them the opportunity to gain industry skills while being exposed to Australian work practices and culture.”
ACCES Services Inc. Employment Manager Michael Krafft said work placements and site visits were hosted by a number of organisations including Australia Post, Griffith University and various child care and aged care facilities where industry professionals were able to supervise participants and offer valuable advice.
“Participants have come from an array of backgrounds including Sudanese, Kurdish, Iranian, Iraqi, Burmese and Vietnamese and their integration into the workforce helps to enrich Queensland’s diversity and multiculturalism,” Mr Krafft said.
“Ruben Neeranjan is an excellent example of the success of this project with his recent appointment as an Administration Officer at the Supreme and District Court Registries.
“Ruben, originally from Malaysia, worked as a Business Development Manager prior to his arrival in Australia in 2000.
“After having difficulty sustaining employment Ruben registered with ACCES Services Inc. in 2007 and with some assistance with interview techniques, job searching and understanding the Australian workplace culture, Ruben was successful in his application with the Department of Justice and Attorney General.”
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.
The 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 ACCES Services Inc. Employment Manager Michael Krafft on 3412 8222 or Michaelk@asi.org.au
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
August 22, 2008