Straight to work from training for mature-aged jobseekers

Twelve mature-aged jobseekers from the Sunshine Coast will graduate on Monday from an employment project with new skills that will bring them closer to jobs in the aged care industry.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the group are part of Community Solutions’ Employment Pathways Program which has been funded by the State Government.

“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is providing $770,700 to assist 150 people from the Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg,” Mr Mickel said.

“This group have partially completed a Certificate III in Aged Care as well as working on general workplace skills like communication and teamwork.

“The Employment Pathways Program has been great for their self-confidence and motivation, and will help them find good, stable jobs, and adjust to their new professions.

“Projects like this help create the stronger and fairer Queensland the State Government’s Toward Q2 vision has set out to achieve.”

The graduation will be held at 10:00am Monday December 8 on Level 1 of the Administration Building, Stockland Park, 320 Nicklin Way, Bokarina.

Community Solutions Coordinator Amanda Reilly said results are already coming in for the jobseekers.

“Three people have been offered jobs with local aged care businesses which is great for them and shows the demand for workers in this industry,” Ms Reilly said.

“The group completed vocational placements, which built up their practical experience, as part of their training.

“Many of the participants want to continue their studies and complete the Certificate III in Aged Care, which will be good for their careers as well.”

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: David Robertson on 3235 4060

December 5, 2008