Published Tuesday, 23 September, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Extra assistance in South-West Corridor aims to share the wealth
The State Government has provided over $1.8 million for the first six projects as it launches the Participate in Prosperity program in the South-West Metropolitan Corridor today.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the program will assist the most disadvantaged people in areas like Inala, Carole Park and Ipswich.
“With a booming economy and an already low 3.6 per cent unemployment rate this is the best time to assist those Queenslanders who need it most,” Mr Mickel said.
“Participate in Prosperity offers intensive assistance to people who face multiple barriers to finding employment and securing a stable and positive lifestyle for themselves and their families.
“Our low unemployment rate has highlighted that there are communities and people who are more likely to fall into social isolation or poverty because they can’t find work or access the different services they need to improve their present situations.
“Juggling issues like finding suitable housing, addressing cultural or language problems, improving poor education or health, struggling to meet personal or family needs or arranging reliable transportation or childcare has caused some people to fall further and further behind.
“Participate in Prosperity was first launched last year in Logan to bring together the different government agencies and other training or service providers who can help individuals improve their options and prospects.
“Participate in Prosperity has provided a total of $1,875,480 to ACCES Services, BoysTown, Brisbane City Council, Career Keys, Ipswich City Council and the Mental Health Association to assist the people who need it most in the South-West Corridor.
“These projects will assist people from different cultural and language backgrounds, the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, parents and young people so they are better prepared for work and other responsibilities.”
Department of Employment and Industrial Relations Regional Director Bill Kingston said case managers on four of the projects will work directly with 270 people over 12 months.
“Each of the nine case managers are the main contact for the 30 people they assist,” Mr Kingston said.
“The funding also includes a brokerage fund for each participant that can be used for training, transport, childcare or other costs which will put them closer to reaching their employment and lifestyle goals.
“The Participate in Prosperity program also establishes a network of government agencies, service providers and community organisations that can assist the people we need to help and provide the best advice to their case managers.
“The project ACCES Services is running is working with employers in the area to help them recruit and retain people from multicultural backgrounds. They are a growing part of the community and helping employers understand their needs will improve the outcomes for both sides.
“The BoysTown project will assist 40 disadvantaged young people with multiple barriers to finding work through an intensive program based on the successful Get Set for Work model.”
Participate in Prosperity (PiP) is an $18 million, four year strategy coordinated through the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations’ Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. It is aimed at identifying people and groups locked out of the labour force and linking them with government services and assistance to help improve their social inclusion and workforce participation.
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: Department of Employment and Industrial Relations
Regional Director Bill Kingston on 3872 0065 or bill.kingston@deir.qld.gov.au
Ministerial Contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
September 23, 2008
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the program will assist the most disadvantaged people in areas like Inala, Carole Park and Ipswich.
“With a booming economy and an already low 3.6 per cent unemployment rate this is the best time to assist those Queenslanders who need it most,” Mr Mickel said.
“Participate in Prosperity offers intensive assistance to people who face multiple barriers to finding employment and securing a stable and positive lifestyle for themselves and their families.
“Our low unemployment rate has highlighted that there are communities and people who are more likely to fall into social isolation or poverty because they can’t find work or access the different services they need to improve their present situations.
“Juggling issues like finding suitable housing, addressing cultural or language problems, improving poor education or health, struggling to meet personal or family needs or arranging reliable transportation or childcare has caused some people to fall further and further behind.
“Participate in Prosperity was first launched last year in Logan to bring together the different government agencies and other training or service providers who can help individuals improve their options and prospects.
“Participate in Prosperity has provided a total of $1,875,480 to ACCES Services, BoysTown, Brisbane City Council, Career Keys, Ipswich City Council and the Mental Health Association to assist the people who need it most in the South-West Corridor.
“These projects will assist people from different cultural and language backgrounds, the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, parents and young people so they are better prepared for work and other responsibilities.”
Department of Employment and Industrial Relations Regional Director Bill Kingston said case managers on four of the projects will work directly with 270 people over 12 months.
“Each of the nine case managers are the main contact for the 30 people they assist,” Mr Kingston said.
“The funding also includes a brokerage fund for each participant that can be used for training, transport, childcare or other costs which will put them closer to reaching their employment and lifestyle goals.
“The Participate in Prosperity program also establishes a network of government agencies, service providers and community organisations that can assist the people we need to help and provide the best advice to their case managers.
“The project ACCES Services is running is working with employers in the area to help them recruit and retain people from multicultural backgrounds. They are a growing part of the community and helping employers understand their needs will improve the outcomes for both sides.
“The BoysTown project will assist 40 disadvantaged young people with multiple barriers to finding work through an intensive program based on the successful Get Set for Work model.”
Participate in Prosperity (PiP) is an $18 million, four year strategy coordinated through the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations’ Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. It is aimed at identifying people and groups locked out of the labour force and linking them with government services and assistance to help improve their social inclusion and workforce participation.
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: Department of Employment and Industrial Relations
Regional Director Bill Kingston on 3872 0065 or bill.kingston@deir.qld.gov.au
Ministerial Contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
September 23, 2008