Rave reviews for Rocky jobseekers

Nine long-term unemployed Rockhampton residents will kick back on Wednesday after 16 weeks of hard work maintaining popular public locations and serving the Rocky community.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said Jobs Queensland was awarded a $238,000 Skilling Queenslanders for Work grant to help the jobseekers find work after an extended period out of the workforce.

“The State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative supports the Toward Q2 vision of a fairer and stronger Queensland,” Mr Mickel said.

“All group members received on the job training and accredited qualifications during their paid work placements.”

Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten said eight of the jobseekers worked with the Rockhampton Regional Council on horticulture and construction projects.

“Another group member was employed at the Mount Morgan Tourist Information Centre in customer service and administration,” Mr Schwarten said.

“There should be continuing demand in administrative and horticulture professions, ensuring these jobseekers are well-placed to turn this experience into stable careers.”

Jobs Queensland General Manager Chamay Bauer said the horticulture participants did restoration work at the Southside cemetery, and completed fencing and retaining walls in the Botanic Gardens.

“Skills on offer to participants included fencing, concreting, horticulture and construction,” Ms Bauer said.

“We will continue to support participants for up to six months to ensure they have the best chance of getting and keeping jobs.

“The results of the project are already starting to show with four participants gaining work so soon after the end of the project.”

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 employment and training assistance 71 per cent of participants are in employment.

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

The graduation will take place at the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens in Ann Street Rockhampton at 10:30am on Wednesday 17 December.

Jobs Queensland Project Manager Chamay Bauer on 4921 3024 or jobsqld@smartcity.net.au

Member for Rockhampton contact: 4927 5299

Ministerial Contact: 3235 4060