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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.
Jobseekers building a future on the Gold Coast |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Feb 15 2008 |
| Media Releases >> |
Getting hands-on experience in construction will help build a better future for 24 Gold Coast jobseekers.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel, Member for Southport Peter Lawlor and Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative had funded the $330,550 Work it Out project.
"Project participants will gain training and payment for four months' work in basic construction at the Anglican Sailing Adventures in Life Skills (SAILS) site in Arundel and Youth Point Connect at Runaway Bay," Mr Mickel said.
"Queensland unemployment is at a low 3.7 per cent but some people in the northern Gold Coast region still have difficulty finding work.
"Given the construction skills shortage in the area as well, this project provides the opportunity to help jobseekers, industry and the community."
Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft said the first part of the project involved renovating demountables at Runaway Bay which would be part of an innovative youth centre, providing advisory and counselling services, sporting activities and workshops.
"Stockland has kindly donated the two demountable buildings to the community as part of stage one of the Youth Point Connect centre," Ms Croft said.
Member for Southport Peter Lawlor said the second part of the project would include finishing work on a six-bedroom home and community college that would be constructed to lock-up stage by Coral Homes.
"SAILS has been granted land in Byth St by the Gold Coast City Council and will use the
six-bedroom project home for at-risk youth. The college will be used to run life skills programs," Mr Lawlor said.
Spiritus Group Manager Social Services Hilary Martin said participants would get on-the-job experience in tiling, painting, plastering, joinery, concreting and landscaping.
"A construction blue card will be provided as part of the project, along with tailored job preparation assistance and post-placement support," Ms Martin said.
"We expect at least 12 of the participants to gain work or an apprenticeship and another six to go on to further training, which is heartening.
"Several organisations have been instrumental in their support for this project so far, including Coral Homes, Queensland Police, Lions Club, Stocklands and Life Christian Church."
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 17,000 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 67 per cent of participants are in employment.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work 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 9:27 AM
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