PM Transcripts

TEL: 18. Apr. 95 1: 50 No. 012 P. O.
PRIME MINISTER 32/ 95
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER THE HON P J KEATING MP
CAIRNS JOBSKILLS PROJECT
I am pleased to announce a $ 1.5 million project to train 135 unemployed North
Queenslanders to meet skills shortages in the region's building industry.
The plan Is the first Jobskills project In Australia to train unemployed people for
the private sector construction industry.
The continuing commercial construction boom in the region has resulted in a
shortage of skilled workers In the domestic sector. This project, funded by the
Federal Department of Employment, Education and Training's ( DEET)
Jobskiils program, will give job seekers the skills and experience needed to be
employed in the domestic construction industry.
The Government's employment White Paper, Working Nation, has increased
opportunities for training unemployed people to take up jobs in industries
experiencing labour shortages.
Trainees in the new North Queensland project will have six weeks training at
TAFE followed by 20 weeks on-the-job work experience and training with local
employers. This combination of on-the-job and formal training has proved
highly successful in helping unemployed people back into the workforce.
The Jobskills project was made possible through the cooperation of the
Queensland Master Builders' Association, the Australian Workers' Union and
the Federated Ironworkers' Association, with support from TAFE, Construction
Training OLD and DEET.
A full-time manager will be appointed to the project, supported by a
Management Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from the
Queensland Master Builders' Association, the AWU, TAFE, Construction
Training Qld ( CTQ) and DEET.
CAIRNS 186April, 1995
( For further Information: Lorraine Brophy, DEET Regional Manager,
07042 2222)