Project assisting Sunshine Coast mature-aged return to the workforce

Eight mature-age jobseekers from the Sunshine Coast have upgraded their skills through a State Government funded employment project and will graduate tomorrow ready for work.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the group have completed 14-week paid work placements with community organisations which have upgraded their administration or horticulture skills and experience through Community Solutions’ Employment Pathways Program.

“This wonderful opportunity to assist mature-aged people back into the workforce was made possible as part of a $770,730 grant from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and with the fantastic support from Community Solutions and the other host employers,” Mr Mickel said.

“The participants’ work throughout this project has refreshed and sharpened their skills and motivation. Three of them have already secured new jobs and the rest are waiting to hear if they have been successful after attending interviews recently.

“While unemployment is at a low 3.6 per cent, in these uncertain times it’s great to hear about older people getting work through projects like this because it also reinforces the recruit, retrain and retain message of the State Government’s Experience Pays Awareness Strategy.

“Toward Q2 set out a vision for a strong and fair Queensland and the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is supporting that goal.”

The graduation will be held at Stockland Park, 320 Nicklin Way, Bokarina at 3:30pm on Thursday November 6.

Community Solutions Coordinator Amanda Reilly said assisting older people to re-enter the workforce presents different challenges and opportunities and the Employment Pathways Program offers the flexibility to help each person who joins.

“Depending on the skills and experiences a person has we can help them become better prepared for work, offer them some accredited training or improve their experience through work placements like these participants have done,” Ms Reilly said.

“This is the first graduation for the Employment Pathways Program, which will assist a total of 150 people, so its great to get off to a such a positive start with the jobs and interviews already coming in.

“Working in real offices is a great way to learn and being a part of a project like this meant they had support from us, the other host employers and also each other.”

Community Solutions hosted three participants in administration positions, Stockland Park hosted one in administration and two in horticulture, Caloundra Courthouse and Sunshine Coast Youth Partnership hosted one administration participant each.

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 21^st Century.

For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925

Contact: Community Solutions Coordinator Amanda Reilly on 5493 7249 or areilly@community-solutions.com.au

Ministerial contact: Jane Rowe on 3237 1125 or David Robertson on 3235 4060

November 5, 2008