Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development
The Honourable Andrew Fraser

Friday, May 01, 2009

Words offer new meaning at Caloundra course

Twelve people from the Caloundra area will focus on improving their literacy and numeracy skills to help improve their chances of gaining and maintaining work, thanks to funding from the Bligh Government.

Parliamentary Secretary for Employment and Economic Development Jan Jarratt said under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, the Caloundra Community Centre had received $22,950 to train 12 students and 10 volunteers through the Words, Meanings and Other Things project.

“Language, literacy and numeracy is no longer confined to conventional education environments but is integrated into work and community settings,” Ms Jarratt said.

“Many people already in the workforce are vulnerable if they do not improve their existing literacy and numeracy skills and achieve competency at the levels demanded in the current labour market.

“The Caloundra Community Centre works with the participants to identify their goals and develop learning strategies to address the individual’s specific requirements and barriers.”

Caloundra Community Centre manager Carolyn Nolan said new volunteer tutors who would work either in class or one-on-one with the literacy students would also be trained.

“The volunteers will work with the students to help improve their self-esteem, confidence, communication skills and increase their social skills,” Ms Nolan said.

“The program will target the long-term unemployed, people from non-English-speaking backgrounds and people with a disability and will run until mid-December.”

During 2008–09, the Queensland Government will invest $81 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 15,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job-related assistance and skills training.  Twelve months after receiving assistance, 71 per cent of participants are in employment or further training.

Media contacts: Treasurer’s office — 3224 6361 or 3224 5982
                        Caloundra Community Centre –– Carolyn Nolan 5491 4511

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