Skilling Queenslanders for Work – Servicing Community

Belinda Jensen

Over the 12 months of the project we enrolled 35 community members into the Certificate III Community Services.

Many participants faced multiple barriers including access to childcare, transportation, learning difficulties and simply the challenges of daily life. Through these challenges we saw many participants determined to attend and successfully complete their training and show others that if they to want to succeed they can.

Of the 34 participants who enrolled in the training, 25 completed the program and 17 have gone on to secure ongoing employment including some with Community Gro.

“Thanks to Sonia, Upper Ross Community Centre, Selectability & Skilling Queensland DESBT for helping me gain my Certificate III in Community Services. I’ve been a stay-at-home mum for seven years, getting knocked back from jobs because I have been out for the working life for too long a time. On November 1, three weeks after graduation I scored part-time employment with Selectability as a Lifestyle Support Worker though waiting on a start date to come as waiting on my NDIS Works screening check.”

Patricia

January 2022 saw us commence our first Skilling Queenslanders for Work Youth Skills program to assist participants aged 15–24 who are linked to Youth Justice, Queensland Police or Queesland Corrections, to gain nationally recognised skills and vocational qualifications.

Our program commenced with 14 participants all of which have multiple and complex barriers in attending the accredited training and in general everyday life. Through a supportive and coordinated approach we aim to assist these participants to obtain qualifications and be productive members of society.