Multicultural literacy project now running in Ipswich

Twenty adults in Ipswich will get literacy and numeracy training over the next year at Bridgeworks Employment and Training thanks to a Skilling Queenslanders for Work grant.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan said the project would aim to help newly-arrived Australians, particularly those from the Sudanese community.

“Bridgeworks will run the project with the help of a $27,340 Queensland Government grant,” Mr Mickel said.

“In these uncertain financial times the best thing new Australians can do is equip themselves with skills to help them gain and maintain work and the Queensland Government is committed to help them do this.

“This project is consistent with the State Government’s Toward Q2 vision for the state of a stronger, fairer Queensland that empowers and supports people in overcoming employment barriers.”

Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan said many of the training materials have been specifically developed to meet the needs of the Sudanese participants.

“Ipswich is becoming increasingly diverse with a growing number of Sudanese migrants and refugees,” Ms Nolan said.

“It’s hard to adjust to life in a new country without adequate literacy and English speaking skills.

“This project will give participants foundation literacy skills which will increase their chances of employment and help them integrate more fully into the local community.”

Bridgeworks General Manager Kris McCue said participants would have a personal assessment at the start of the project to gauge their level of literacy.

“We will also take into account individual aims and abilities and develop a personal action plan to give participants the greatest chance of moving into work at the end of the course,” Mr McCue said.

“The training will be delivered through two intakes of 24 weeks each.

“We will encourage all participants to engage in employment, education or further training when they finish the project and give them continuing support to help them achieve their goals.”

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 Skilling Queenslanders for Work visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925

Contact: Bridgeworks General Manager Kris McCue on 3350 6611 or k.mccue@bridgeworks.org.au

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

November 10, 2008