Published Thursday, 02 October, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Young Brisbane jobseekers pick up warehouse of new skills
Eight young unemployed people have been working in warehouses for Foodbank, St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army thanks to a State Government funded employment project.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Bulimba Pat Purcell said the group are completing paid work placements and accredited training thanks to Warehousing Works, which is part of BoysTown’s Youth Engagement Project.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative funded $1,299,420 for the Youth Engagement Project because youth unemployment is a significant problem,” Mr Mickel said.
“Our strong economy has given Queensland one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 3.6 per cent but people aged between 15 and 19 still face a harder time when looking for work because they don’t have the skills or experience.
“Completing this project will make it easier for these participants to demonstrate their abilities and their commitment to finding work, which should impress local employers.
“I am also pleased to announce, as part of today’s visit to Foodbank, that Warehousing Works will be funded again in 2009 and offer other young people the chance to improve their skills.”
Foodbank receives donated and surplus food from suppliers, food processing companies and grocery stores and distributes it to community and welfare organisations who provide for people in need.
The Foodbank warehouse sorts and stores the food for more than 275 welfare agency members who collect a share. These agencies feed over 60,000 Queenslanders each week.
Since 1995 Foodbank Queensland have distributed more than 16 million kilograms of food. For more information visit www.foodbank.com.au
Member for Bulimba Pat Purcell said warehousing is an important part of the supply chain and workers with the right skills and experience are in demand.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative provides real pathways for unemployed people to learn new skills that will help them join the workforce,” Mr Purcell said.
“Working with charity organisations and under the supervision of BoysTown staff is also a great way to highlight to young people the importance of caring and contributing to our community.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is also supporting the Government’s Toward Q2 vision for this state through projects like this and it is great to hear that it will be run again next year.”
BoysTown Regional Manager Ann Chandra said the participants work includes receiving, packaging, picking and distributing goods.
“When they finish the project in two weeks time they will have earned their forklift licences and completed four modules from the Certificate II in Warehousing,” Ms Chandra said.
“The only thing that will help these participants more than the real warehouse experience they are getting is doing the accredited training and getting a licence. That will show an employer the knowledge and skills they will bring to their workplace.
“I think it’s great for young people to be able to work on a project like this where they can really experience what a job involves and it connects the training to real jobs and the real world.”
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: BoysTown Regional Manager Ann Chandra on 3906 4999 or 0434 074 357 or AChandra@boystown.com.au
Member for Bulimba contact: 3399 9492
Ministerial Contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
October 2, 2008
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Bulimba Pat Purcell said the group are completing paid work placements and accredited training thanks to Warehousing Works, which is part of BoysTown’s Youth Engagement Project.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative funded $1,299,420 for the Youth Engagement Project because youth unemployment is a significant problem,” Mr Mickel said.
“Our strong economy has given Queensland one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 3.6 per cent but people aged between 15 and 19 still face a harder time when looking for work because they don’t have the skills or experience.
“Completing this project will make it easier for these participants to demonstrate their abilities and their commitment to finding work, which should impress local employers.
“I am also pleased to announce, as part of today’s visit to Foodbank, that Warehousing Works will be funded again in 2009 and offer other young people the chance to improve their skills.”
Foodbank receives donated and surplus food from suppliers, food processing companies and grocery stores and distributes it to community and welfare organisations who provide for people in need.
The Foodbank warehouse sorts and stores the food for more than 275 welfare agency members who collect a share. These agencies feed over 60,000 Queenslanders each week.
Since 1995 Foodbank Queensland have distributed more than 16 million kilograms of food. For more information visit www.foodbank.com.au
Member for Bulimba Pat Purcell said warehousing is an important part of the supply chain and workers with the right skills and experience are in demand.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative provides real pathways for unemployed people to learn new skills that will help them join the workforce,” Mr Purcell said.
“Working with charity organisations and under the supervision of BoysTown staff is also a great way to highlight to young people the importance of caring and contributing to our community.
“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is also supporting the Government’s Toward Q2 vision for this state through projects like this and it is great to hear that it will be run again next year.”
BoysTown Regional Manager Ann Chandra said the participants work includes receiving, packaging, picking and distributing goods.
“When they finish the project in two weeks time they will have earned their forklift licences and completed four modules from the Certificate II in Warehousing,” Ms Chandra said.
“The only thing that will help these participants more than the real warehouse experience they are getting is doing the accredited training and getting a licence. That will show an employer the knowledge and skills they will bring to their workplace.
“I think it’s great for young people to be able to work on a project like this where they can really experience what a job involves and it connects the training to real jobs and the real world.”
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: BoysTown Regional Manager Ann Chandra on 3906 4999 or 0434 074 357 or AChandra@boystown.com.au
Member for Bulimba contact: 3399 9492
Ministerial Contact: Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
October 2, 2008