Support for Southport early school-leavers
Posted by editor (editor) on Feb 16 2010
2010 >>

Thirty unemployed early school leavers will improve their skills and boost their chances of finding work thanks to a local State Government jobs project.

Member for Southport Peter Lawlor said Southport’s BUSY Inc. would receive $145,860 from the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to run the Get Busy for Work project.

“This project is part of the State Government’s $12.5 million Get Set for Work program which offers job preparation activities and accredited training to help young people who left school early to join the workforce,” Mr Lawlor said.

“Without a full education or skills and experience gained on the job, young people risk falling behind their peers and other jobseekers. This project will help participants overcome some of the employment barriers they are facing.”

Mrr Lawlor said BUSY Inc. would recruit four intakes over the year so participants could complete the 10 week course in small groups.
 
“Each young person will have different strengths, issues and goals so it is important that this project will address their needs and help them open up more employment or training opportunities,” he said.

“BUSY Inc. have a long history of working with young people from around Southport and Surfers Paradise so I am confident this project will help participants make some important and positive decisions.”

BUSY Inc. CEO Vivienne Mallinson said Get Busy for Work aimed to assist 18 and 19 year olds in particular.

“Young people who left school early back when unemployment was low are faced with a much more competitive jobs market now,” Ms Mallinson said.

“So this project will help them improve how they search and apply for jobs as well as lift their self-confidence and motivation to tackle new challenges.

“We will organise industry talks and employer visits so participants can look at some different jobs they might not have considered or see where some further training could take them.”

Anyone interested in joining the project should call BUSY Inc. on (07) 5558 5800.

During 2009/10 the Queensland Government will invest $101 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 21,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland's prosperity.

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

Last changed: Feb 16 2010 at 12:10 PM