Community construction pays off for Nambour jobseekers

Ten Queensland Government skilling project jobseekers are set to celebrate the end of a project that may set them on the path to steady employment.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel and Member for Nicklin Peter Wellington said the ten took part in a $140,500 Skilling Queenslanders for Work project run by NAMTEC.

“Global economic uncertainty has left many people concerned but one of the best ways for people to insulate themselves against future challenges is by skilling or upskilling,” Mr Mickel said.

“Today’s graduates are in a good position, having recently equipped themselves with a myriad of skills in the shortage industries of construction and horticulture.”

Member for Nicklin Peter Wellington said the jobseekers gained skills during paid work placements improving the facilities of valuable local community organisations.

“This project has had tremendous benefits not only for participants but for the many organisations and their patrons,” Mr Wellington said.

“Over the course of the 16-week project the group did work at six community-focused venues including the Nambour Country Women’s Association Hall, the Maroochy branch of the Sunshine Coast Regional Housing Council, the 4 Paws Animal Rescue Centre at Gympie, the Mapleton Community Hall, Camp Cooroora near Cooroy and the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens.”

The graduation will take place on Friday, 5 December at NAMTEC Inc, 31 Matthew Street, Nambour from 12 noon.

NAMTEC Manager Kaaryne Scott said the project gave the group a breadth of skills and experiences which set the course for successful futures.

“Group members tried their hands at construction, concreting, fencing, painting, landscaping and renovating,” Ms Scott said.

“We backed up these experiences with accredited training in a Certificate I in Horticulture, Construction Blue Card and Senior First Aid Certificate training.

“I’m pleased to say that already two of the jobseekers have moved into work in the horticulture industry as a direct result of the project – even though it has only just finished.”

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.

The initiative also supports the Government’s Toward Q2 vision of a stronger, fairer state where disadvantaged people can access training and assistance to overcome employment barriers.

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

Contact: NAMTEC Inc. Manager Kaaryne Scott on 5479 8444 or kaaryne.scott@namtec.org.au

Member for Nicklin contact: 5441 6933

Ministerial Contact: David Robertson on 3235 4060

December 5, 2008