Toowoomba empolyment project readies 75 people for jobs

A Toowoomba employment project assisting 75 people from Indigenous and African communities will hold its first graduation tomorrow.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said Bridgeworks Employment and Training organised the Pathways to Success project which is funded through the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

“This project offered 45 part-time paid work placements, accredited training for 20 people in metal fabrication or construction and a pre-vocational course with the Queensland Master Builder’s Program for another 10 participants,” Mr Mickel said.

“Organising a project like this offers a variety of opportunities to people from different cultural or linguistic backgrounds to improve their workplace skills and experience.

“That doesn’t come together easily and as well as $372,946 from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative in-kind support from Bridgeworks Employment and Training, The Bremer Institute of TAFE and the Queensland Master Builders Association brought everything together for the participants.

“This is a great example of how the State Government, a community organisation, a training provider and an industry body can work together to improve the employment opportunities for the groups who are struggling to find work.

“The Pathways to Success project is also assisting 43 Toowoomba parents and carers return to the workforce thanks to funding from the Federal Government so the good work is continuing.”

The graduation will be held at Bridgeworks Employment and Training, 158 Margaret Street, Toowoomba at 10:00am on Friday November 7.

Bridgeworks Employment and Training Toowoomba Programs Manager Jane Williamson said this is the first project they have run in the Toowoomba area.

“The participants have been wonderful and because we offered job preparation, accredited training and work placements we could provide each person with the assistance that would best suit their needs,” Ms Williamson said.

“It has been great to have so many organisations to host our work placement participants as well. Getting into a real workplace and doing tasks for them is the best way for participants to learn and it is also great experience they can add to their resumes.”

Career Employment Australia, Centacare, Centenary Heights State School, Downs Aboriginal Housing, East Creek Neighbourhood Centre, Endeavour Foundation, Glenon House, Harlaxton State School, Harristown State High School, Kath Dickson Family Centre, Kulila Kindy, Lifeline Darling Downs, Relationships Australia/Ada’s Haven, Safer Toowoomba Partnership Inc, The Salvation Army, Spiritus, St Thomas More, TRAMS and Toowoomba South State School all hosted participants work placements.

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.

Skilling Queenslanders for Work supports the Government’s Toward Q2 vision of a strong and fair Queensland.

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

Contact: Bridgeworks Employment and Training Toowoomba Programs Manager Jane Williamson on 4637 9852 or j.williamson@bridgeworks.org.au

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

November 6, 2008