Assistance for Gladstone and Biloela early school-leavers

31-Mar-2011

Assistance for Gladstone and Biloela early school-leavers

Young people in Gladstone who have left school early or who are at risk of doing so are getting help to gain valuable on-the-job experience.

Employment, Skills and Mining Minister Stirling Hinchliffe today visited the group who are undertaking training at Gladstone Area Group Apprentices as part of the State Government's Get Set for Work program.

Mr Hinchliffe said the program was receiving $147,000 in Bligh Government funding.

"Developing a strong work history as early as possible is important when it comes to looking for a job," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"That's what the Get Set for Work Program is about- helping young people develop work habits like turning up to work on time and following directions.

"About 20 young people from Gladstone and 10 from Biloela will work through this program to develop key jobs skills.

"This is about helping young people now so they have the skills necessary to take up employment opportunities in this area.

"Participants will be in a better position to secure new jobs, start a training course or return to school to pursue a positive career path."
 
GAGAL Chief Executive Officer Kerry Whitaker said young people who had left school early or were 'at risk' of leaving early needed to understand their employment and training options.

"The change in expectations from school to joining the workforce is challenging. Providing guidance and support now can lead to sustainable employment and training outcomes for participants," Ms Whitaker said.

"The GAGAL Get Set for Work Program offers a variety of assistance. Participants will learn how to write better job applications, complete some personal development tasks and study fundamental accredited training units in engineering, warehousing and hospitality.

"Last year's Get Set for Work Program had 13 out of 14 participants find employment and it was the first time that hospitality was included as a focus for the project. This was a bit of a new direction for GAGAL but most of the participants' new jobs came from hospitality, which is a great result, and I see a few of them working hard at some of my favourite places."

During 2010/11 the Queensland Government will invest $106 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 24,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training.

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

Media contact: Kerryn Manifold- 0439 781 886