Electorate: Rockhampton
August 2011
Central Queensland jobseekers are gaining valuable hospitality skills through a Queensland Government funded program currently being delivered by Learning Network Queensland.
Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining Stirling Hinchliffe said short accredited programs in Barista, Bar and Gaming or Housekeeping will soon be conducted in Hervey Bay, Gympie, Rockhampton and on the Capricorn Coast.
“The training is available to both unemployed and underemployed people who wish to gain skills to supplement their existing income with additional hours,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“The skills to be gained through the Hospitality Short Programs (Skills Sets) project lend themselves to full-time, part-time or casual employment in a multitude of roles.
“The two-week program will better position participants to gain work in clubs, resorts, motels, hotels, restaurants and cafes.”
Mr Hinchliffe said Learning Network Queensland had received $368,330 under the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to deliver training to a total of 220 participants.
Learning Network Queensland Project Manager Pauline Grant-Smith said the short courses had already successfully been conducted in Gladstone and Agnes Waters.
“Training is currently being delivered at Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village in Hervey Bay and the Akarna Motel in Maryborough,” Ms Grant-Smith said.
“LNQ partners with industry to provide participants with the best practical skills application and knowledge possible.
“Kingfisher Bay Resort has previously employed participants or placed work experience students from skill sets programs so the linkage with industry contacts also benefits project participants’ employment outcomes.”
Ms Grant-Smith said the Barista, Bar and Gaming program contained seven accredited units of competency including the Responsible Service Alcohol and Responsible Gaming Services certificates.
“On completion of the program participants will be equipped with the liquor licensing requirements for employees of bar or gaming venues, thus increasing their employability substantially,” Ms Grant-Smith said.
“The Housekeeping program features six accredited units of competency which can be credited towards a Certificate II or III in Hospitality. Successful project participants will gain a practical and theoretical knowledge in housekeeping.”
During 2011/12 the Queensland Government will invest $104 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 24,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training.
Twelve months after receiving assistance 67 per cent of participants are in employment or further training.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative 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 or to register for a Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.
Media contacts:
Minister’s office – (07) 3227 8824
Learning Network Queensland – (07) 3224 4305