The Vision Centre and Kirra Hill Restoration Project's Graduation
Posted by Administrator (admin) on Dec 05 2008
2008 >>

I am pleased to be here representing the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel who has asked me to pass on his best wishes to you all.

As we’ve heard, today’s graduates have been working on either one of two projects: the Vision Centre at Southport or the restoration of the site of the former Coolangatta State Special School at Kirra Hill.

These projects are just two of more than 450 that the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative has funded throughout the state since it was introduced in July last year.
To date, approximately $95 million has been provided by this initiative for customised assistance to well over 15,000 jobseekers, including those of you graduating here today.

Amongst you we have parents, carers, mature-age and young people.
Some of you were out of the workforce for quite some time. Skilling Queenslanders for Work recognizes the barriers you, and thousands of others in similar situations, face when trying to get into, or back into, the workforce.

It can be daunting – no piece of paper to show you are qualified to do a particular task, or perhaps no experience in the type of work you’re seeking, or maybe it’s a case of rusty skills or lack of confidence. You may not be aware, but employers also face barriers: for quite some time there has been a shortage of people with the right skills and attitudes to take up positions that they need to fill.

That is what the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is all about. Giving local people skills they need for work and helping employers get the skilled workers they need. Records show that 12 months after receiving assistance, more than 70 per cent of participants are in employment or further training. Those of you who’ve been working on the Vision Centre and Kirra Hill projects have undertaken a wide range of jobs to help transform those centres into places that ultimately will be used and enjoyed by many residents and visitors to our region.

What an opportunity you’ve had. And you have grasped it with enthusiasm. You now have experience in a range of work-related skills. You’ve also worked alongside tradespeople and other experienced workers and undoubtedly learned a great deal by talking to and watching them.

In addition to these hands-on and observational experiences you have had the benefit of accredited and non-accredited training in a range of useful areas. So the $270,000 from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative for these two projects has been well spent.

At this point I would like to pay tribute to the Gold Coast City Council for their contribution in helping to prepare you for sustainable employment, including additional training and on-going support.

Today’s graduates now have the skills and confidence to approach employers, to feel at home in the workforce. In fact, some of you already have jobs, and some have good reason to look forward to apprenticeships.

Congratulations to all of the participants! I wish you all the best in your futures. Thank you.

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