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

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Caloundra youths follow pathway to jobs

Ten young people from Caloundra will be better equipped to find work after graduating today from a Queensland Government-funded project.

Parliamentary Secretary for Employment and Economic Development Jan Jarratt said CADET Group Australia had organised the Get Set for Work – Back to Basics project thanks to a $137,500 grant from the Bligh Government.

“This project offers flexible entry and exit points, so participants can access support as they need it, as well as three 12-week intakes to deliver job preparation activities and accredited training,” Ms Jarratt said.

“The funding comes from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and, with the effects of the global economic downturn making finding a job particularly difficult for young people, the assistance that this project is providing is important.

“Get Set for Work projects run throughout the state and give young people aged between 15 and 17 who have left school early, or are thinking about leaving, access to local support and assistance which will help them make good decisions.”

CADET Group Australia senior project co-ordinator Bronwyn Armstrong said the project would help a total of 25 early school leavers improve their understanding, skills and attitude to help them pursue their work goals.

“One graduating participant told us she wanted to be a chef and we were able to put her in a hospitality course and give her some work experience in a café and now we’re looking to organise an apprenticeship for her,” Ms Armstrong said.

“Another participant wanted to work in engineering and we organised work experience with a sheet metal company for him that could now lead to a job.

“Participants from this project have gone on to further training in arts, hairdressing, pre-vocational carpentry, advanced literacy and numeracy and one has just completed a Certificate III in Aged Care."

Today’s graduation celebration will be held at 60 George Street, Caloundra, at 11am.
Media contacts: Treasurer’s office – 3224 6361 or 3224 5982
                        CADET Group Australia – Bronwyn Armstrong 5436 6013

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