Whitsunday’s women supported to meet local skills shortages

Eight Whitsunday women have graduated with new Toward Q2 career paths at their feet thanks to a $10,000 Bligh Government grant.

Minister for Women Margaret Keech congratulated eight local women who graduated from the Whitsunday Development Corporation’s Women Ready for Work Initiative, which was made possible through an Office for Women ‘Women in Trades’ grant.

The course was designed to make women ‘work ready’ for the construction industry and help address local trade skill shortages.

Member for Whitsunday, Jan Jarratt said with Queensland facing significant skills shortages, women have the opportunity to work in any area they choose.

“Our Toward Q2 strategy is about fairness and by tackling the skills shortage through clever programs such as this, we are creating real opportunities for local women,” Ms Jarratt said.

“This program can have a genuine long-term difference to the Whitsunday’s by providing skilled young women with career choices close to home.”

The ‘Women in Trades’ grants are designed to encourage women to enter careers in non-traditional industries and to support them to stay working in these industries.

Minister for Women Margaret Keech congratulated the Whitsunday Development Corporation on its program.

“My Office for Women is particularly pleased to be able to support a local program that can address unemployment and skill shortages in the region,” she said.

“The Bligh Government is looking over the horizon and is creating new career paths for young women in interesting, well paid jobs,” she said.

The Whitsunday Development Corporation used the $10,000 grant to partner with the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE, to train women in Bowen and Cannonvale in non-traditional trades.

The women who completed the TAFE course received valuable skills, a statement of attainment and an industry recognised Blue Card.

Whitsunday Development Corporation (WDC) CEO Rebecca Andrews expressed her appreciation for the grant.

“The WDC was very excited to obtain $10,000 funding from the Office for Women for the ‘Whitsunday Women ready for Work’ initiative.

“This financial support has enabled regional women to further develop their skills, knowledge and opportunities in fields they may not have otherwise explored.”

For more information about the current ‘Women in Trades Grants’ round please visit http://www.women.qld.gov.au/

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