Skill shortage training for Northside jobseekers

HELP Enterprises will continue to strengthen Queensland’s economy by offer training in key skill shortage areas to disadvantaged jobseekers on Brisbane’s Northside thanks to renewed funding from the Queensland Government.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the organisation has been awarded $62,970 to continue the training free of charge to jobseekers.

“The project will help 40 long-term unemployed Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islanders, people with a disability, underemployed people, mature-age jobseekers, young people, parents and carers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and ex-offenders,” Mr Mickel said.

“Continued skill shortages threaten to put the brakes on our economy even further, however the State Government through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative endeavours to create a fairer, stronger Queensland where disadvantaged people can overcome employment barriers and help fill skills shortages.

“This project will prepare participants for work in the engineering, automotive, transport, warehousing and logistics industries where employers are struggling to find staff with the right skills,” he said.

HELP Enterprises Training and Development Manager Stacey Turnbull said all participants will gain Construction Blue Cards which will qualify them to work on worksites across the state.

“Participants will also do accredited training in fundamental units from either Certificate II in Engineering, Certificate I in Automotive or Certificate I in Transport and Logistics,” Ms Turnbull said.

“Participants will train at our new centre in Nundah which has been fully equipped with automotive, warehousing and engineering workshops.

“The training will be delivered in small groups of three to five people to ensure that all participants get individual attention.

“They will also receive job preparation training to help them create resumes, learn interview skills, develop life skills and approach employers.”

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.

Contact:

Help Enterprises Training and Development Manager Stacey Turnbull: 3260 6411 or staceyt@helpenterprises.com.au

Ministerial Contact: 3235 4060

January 29, 2009