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

Friday, May 01, 2009

Teens get back on track in Maryborough, Hervey Bay

Seventy-five early school leavers in Hervey Bay and Maryborough will get a second chance to pursue further study or work through two Bligh Government-funded jobs projects.

Parliamentary Secretary for Employment and Economic Development Jan Jarratt said Glendyne Education and Training Centre and Community Solutions would run Get Set for Work projects with the help of funding totalling $422,490 from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

“There are 65 Get Set for Work projects running throughout Queensland this year to help young people at risk of falling into long-term disengagement from earning and learning,” Ms Jarratt said.

“These projects offer practical, vocationally focused help to open up new pathways to participants who struggle in mainstream schooling.”

Glendyne principal Ray Krueger said 25 participants in Hervey Bay would benefit from education, basic trade skills and life skills training.

“We also help young people work on the root causes of their disengagement, which could include problems with housing, finances, substance abuse or family issues,” Mr Krueger said.

“Other training options will depend on participants’ aims and abilities but they may study units in engineering, hospitality, retail, woodwork, information technology, or literacy and numeracy.

“Our industry release program offers real-life workplace experience.”

Community Solutions manager Melinda Everett said 20 places would be available for young people in Maryborough and 30 in Hervey Bay.

“These projects are structured around the idea of experiential learning – that we learn best where we can see the results of our actions and reflect on what could have been better so we can plan for the future,” Ms Everett said.

“Learning is outdoor-oriented with practical, hands-on sessions designed to develop ethics and social skills such as trust and support, communication, leadership and decision making.

“Vocational skills developed through some of these activities will be supported by accredited training in business or retail.

“Job search assistance will help participants to develop their resumes, find vacancies and prepare for job interviews.”

In 2009 more than 2200 young Queenslanders who leave school early or are ‘at risk’ of not completing year 12 will benefit from the $10.6 million statewide Get Set for Work program.

In the most recent survey of participants, more than 71 per cent were in work or study a year after leaving the program.

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.

Get Set for Work is part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

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

Media contacts:
Treasurer’s office — 3224 6361 or 3224 5982
Glendyne Education and Training principal –– Ray Krueger 4128 6199
Community Solutions manager Melinda Everett –– 4128 3933

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