Published Thursday, 11 September, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Gympie work project graduates on track to get jobs
Thirteen long-term jobseekers from the Mary Valley now have construction and landscaping skills enabling them to find work in the region and compete for work on the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam and Bruce Highway upgrade.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the $161,340 Skilling the Valley project participants graduate tomorrow.
“This Skilling Queenslanders for Work-funded project has benefited participants’ career prospects, the community, and industry – it has been co-ordinated by the Australian Industry Engineering Manufacturing Network Co-operative (AIEM),” Mr Mickel said.
“Jobseekers were paid for their efforts on the 14-week project, during which they gained accredited training from Wide Bay TAFE in units from a Certificate II General Construction and a host of practical skills.
“Improving disabled access, sporting amenities, painting and landscaping at Mary Valley College, painting and landscaping at Monkland School in Gympie, and fencing and paving at Roadcraft were among the upgraded sites.
“The combination of experience from these varied tasks ensure tomorrow’s graduates are better equipped to join the workforce.
“I’m very happy to hear three participants have already gained work thanks to their participation in Skilling the Valley.
“And giving people the skills required by employers and industry is part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.”
AIEM General Manager Richard Krause said the cooperative aims to preserve existing business and increase the volume of engineering and manufacturing work completed in the Wide Bay and Burnett regions.
“Providing funding for first aid training and a construction blue card for participants was one aspect of AIEM’s contribution to this project,” said Mr Krause.
“But allowing people to forge contacts with our network of business members with a view to securing future employment was one of the most proactive steps we took – and it’s paying off for these graduates.
“AIEM has been delighted to employ project participant and Kandanga resident Peter Power.”
This project has also been supported by Queensland Water Infrastructure Pty Ltd, Boral and Mary Valley College.
More than 120 jobs for long-term unemployed or under-employed people could be created in the Mary Valley and Gympie region as a result of training and employment associated with the Traveston Crossing Dam project.
During 2008/09 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, of which $750,000 has been allocated to give local people the chance to gain skills required to work on the proposed dam.
The graduation will be held at Mary Valley State College, 15 Edward St, Imbil at 10am on Friday 12 September, 2008.
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: Australian Industry Engineering Manufacturing Network Co-operative General Manager Richard Krause on 4121 7856 or richard@aiemnet.com
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir 323 54060
September 11, 2008
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the $161,340 Skilling the Valley project participants graduate tomorrow.
“This Skilling Queenslanders for Work-funded project has benefited participants’ career prospects, the community, and industry – it has been co-ordinated by the Australian Industry Engineering Manufacturing Network Co-operative (AIEM),” Mr Mickel said.
“Jobseekers were paid for their efforts on the 14-week project, during which they gained accredited training from Wide Bay TAFE in units from a Certificate II General Construction and a host of practical skills.
“Improving disabled access, sporting amenities, painting and landscaping at Mary Valley College, painting and landscaping at Monkland School in Gympie, and fencing and paving at Roadcraft were among the upgraded sites.
“The combination of experience from these varied tasks ensure tomorrow’s graduates are better equipped to join the workforce.
“I’m very happy to hear three participants have already gained work thanks to their participation in Skilling the Valley.
“And giving people the skills required by employers and industry is part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.”
AIEM General Manager Richard Krause said the cooperative aims to preserve existing business and increase the volume of engineering and manufacturing work completed in the Wide Bay and Burnett regions.
“Providing funding for first aid training and a construction blue card for participants was one aspect of AIEM’s contribution to this project,” said Mr Krause.
“But allowing people to forge contacts with our network of business members with a view to securing future employment was one of the most proactive steps we took – and it’s paying off for these graduates.
“AIEM has been delighted to employ project participant and Kandanga resident Peter Power.”
This project has also been supported by Queensland Water Infrastructure Pty Ltd, Boral and Mary Valley College.
More than 120 jobs for long-term unemployed or under-employed people could be created in the Mary Valley and Gympie region as a result of training and employment associated with the Traveston Crossing Dam project.
During 2008/09 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, of which $750,000 has been allocated to give local people the chance to gain skills required to work on the proposed dam.
The graduation will be held at Mary Valley State College, 15 Edward St, Imbil at 10am on Friday 12 September, 2008.
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: Australian Industry Engineering Manufacturing Network Co-operative General Manager Richard Krause on 4121 7856 or richard@aiemnet.com
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir 323 54060
September 11, 2008