Wildlife warrior graduates from employment program
A young Maryborough jobseeker with wildlife warrior skills is just one of 70 Wide Bay participants graduating from a Bligh Government funded Get Set for Work training project tomorrow.
Kieran Smith, fresh from taking out the Young Queensland Volunteer of the Year Award earlier this year for his wildlife preservation work, will graduate along with other course participants.
Minister for Employment and Skills Stirling Hinchliffe said the project was conducted by Community Solutions Inc with a government grant of $284,500.
'Get Set for Work funded training assists young jobseekers previously disengaged from schooling to enter the workforce,' Mr Hinchliffe said.
'The program develops job preparation skills and assists participants to overcome barriers they may be experiencing.'
'The proof is in the pudding - Community Solutions, which conducted the training, reports that 38 of the 70 young jobseekers have, like Kieran Smith, already found work in their chosen field as a direct result of the skills they have learnt during this course.'
'These are young people who before enrolling in this course faced a bleak future with little or no job prospects.'
Community Solutions Contract Manager Nikki Cross said the program equipped participants with skills across a range of employment areas.
'Most participants completed a Certificate II in Business and while others found work,' Ms Cross said.
'We have had some really exciting outcomes including one young woman who now has a chef's apprenticeship in Brisbane - her desired career field - and of course Kieran Smith, who we helped turn his volunteer placement at a local wildlife sanctuary into 20 hours per week of paid employment.'
Graduation ceremonies for successful program participants are taking place at two locations in the Wide Bay and Burnett district during December:
-
The Hervey Bay group of 25 graduates will receive recognition at a ceremony at The Fraser Coast Outriggers facility on Thursday 8 December at 11:00am.
-
The 25 Maryborough based graduates will attend a ceremony at Community Solutions' Maryborough Office in Kent Street on Wednesday 14 December at 1.00pm.
Note: The graduating North Burnett group will not attend a ceremony due to distance issues, but will graduate successfully from the program.
Employment, Skills and Mining
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe