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Media Releases My electorate office distributes information which is important to the Southport electorate in particular, and the Gold Coast in general. This information goes to the print and electronic media, however due to space or time constraints it doesn’t always get printed or broadcast. Through my website however, you can access all news stories which emanate from my office and thus keep up-to-date with State Government issues relating to Southport.
Golden opportunity for 50 Gold Coast jobseekers |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Aug 01 2008 |
| Media Releases >> |
Over the next 11 months five groups of 10 Gold Coast jobseekers will have the opportunity to get paid as they work on community projects thanks to $675,000 Queensland Government funding under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
Gary Fenlon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations and Member for Southport Peter Lawlor said the Gold Coast City Council will coordinate the project in collaboration with community organisations.
"As Queensland's second most populated city we need to ensure the Gold Coast is well equipped with skilled resources to sustain its growth," Mr Fenlon said.
"This project will assist participants develop industry skills in construction and landscaping, both areas requiring workers.
"The first work placement will be hosted by the Kirra Hill Community Facility, while the second group will work with the Vision in Paradise Centre, a support and training centre for visually impaired people," he said.
"The third placement is expected to be on-site at the new Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Animal Hospital, and the remaining two projects are yet to be finalised."
Member for Southport Peter Lawlor said the project will provide accredited theoretical training to complement practical activities.
"These include Senior First Aid Certificate, Occupational Health and Safety, Construction Blue Card, Certificate II in Horticulture, Forklift licence, Traffic Control Qualification and tickets in chainsaw operations, scaffolding, brush cutting and scissor lift operations," Mr Lawlor said.
"The initiative is also supporting a 'women-only work placement team' to encourage women into non-traditional areas in construction and landscaping.
"The team of women will be recruited through the Skilling Women for Work Expo, to be held at the Robina Community Centre on October 15 from 10am to 1pm.
"The expo is aiming to attract women who are outside the workforce into training for the traditional trades as a response to skills shortages on the Gold Coast."
Gold Coast City Council Coordinator of Employment Schemes Peter Johnson said participants will be given coaching in job search techniques with a focus on resume writing, Internet job searches and interview techniques.
"Participants will receive the added benefit of a comprehensive health assessment and six months of post placement support," Mr Johnson.
"Where appropriate, the Gold Coast City Council will look to fund TAFE courses for participants who express a particular area of interest."
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.
For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 11:17 AM
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