Steve Wettenhall, State Member for Barron River - Indigenous project providing community service training in the Far North

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Indigenous project providing community service training in the Far North

L-R Top: Ind. Workforce Mgr Trudie Gibbs, Tyler Hafstad, Marcia Hedanek,

Olivia Freeman, Steve Wettenhall MP, Julie Lui

L-R Bottom: Ind. Workforce Strategy Trainer Michelle Wattridge, Enid Barlow,

Helena David, Willy Aragu, Christine Collins, Patrick Bong, Tania Hodges

Twelve Indigenous jobseeker cadets in Far North Queensland will have a morning tea to celebrate their on-going success since getting a foot in the door to community service careers thanks to a Queensland Government jobs project.

Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said the Abused Child Trust (ACT for Kids), who have coordinated the project which began on February 22 with the help of a $192,000 Skilling Queenslanders for Work grant.

“Participants have been working with government departments or community-based organisations to gain skills and experience in the human services sector,” Mr Wettenhall said.

“They have been learning about child protection, domestic violence responses, child behaviour and control, and interacting with young people.

“The Indigenous community is overrepresented in human services cases and we need to increase the number of people on the front lines who can identify with Indigenous clients.

Mr Wettenhall said participants are being mentored for 18 weeks and will shadow professionals at family interventions, meetings, community education forums and administrative duties.

“There is a shortage of Indigenous human services workers in the local area but through intensive mentoring and culturally appropriate training we hope to help alleviate this,” he said.

ACT for Kids Indigenous Workforce Strategy Manager Trudie Gibbs said participants are studying modules of Certificate III in Community Services Work through the Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE.

“Participants are paid for the duration of their training and work placement and we will offer post participation support for up to six months to help them turn their experiences into sustainable work,” Ms Gibbs said.

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 21^st Century.

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

Contacts: Member for Barron River – 4038 2800, ACT for Kids – 4033 5800