AN EXTRA $100,000 has been dedicated to increasing the pool of skilled metal manufacturing workers in a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the funding has been doubled to allow Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Ltd (AMTIL) to continue the success of the project which has been running since 2006.
“This national project offers participants training in metals engineering which skills them up for employment opportunities in CNC operation, maintenance, trades assistant, technical customer service/sales and other related positions,” Mr Mickel said.
“It also incorporates a process where participants’ existing skills can be formally recognised and they can move straight into work.”
“Sixty jobseekers have been helped to date and this increased commitment will mean another 44 can take part.
“The training facilities are located in Toowoomba, the Gold Coast and Mount Gravatt and draw participants, particularly mature-age people from the surrounding areas.
“Even though unemployment is at a low 3.6 per cent there are still some people who lack the skills to move into the workforce.”
“The project offers a brighter and more prosperous future for participants and an influx of newly skilled staff to meet the growing demands of the booming manufacturing industry.”
AMTIL Business Services Manager Cindy Welsh said funding has come from the Institute itself, Federal, Queensland, South Australian, Victorian and New South Wales governments, Job Network, employers and industry.
“The direction of this truly national project is guided by a national steering committee which includes members from industry, AMTIL, federal and state governments,” Ms Welsh said.
“A team of four staff coordinate the program and help place participants into work.
“Of the first 60 participants who took part in Queensland, 40 have found work already – a great outcome.
“The success of this project illustrates the importance of a coordinated effort between industry, training organisations and all levels of government.”
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 68 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
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