- 30 job seekers in Chuwar have completed qualifications in workplace skills, retail services, and hospitality as part of the Miles Labor Government's flagship skills and training initiative, Skilling Queenslanders for Work.
- The latest graduates of three projects delivered by Tivoli Social Enterprises Limited join more than 90,500 job seekers who have been assisted by Skilling Queenslanders for Work.
- Tivoli Social Enterprises Limited received $1.49 million in Queensland Government funding to deliver three Work Skills Traineeships projects.
The Miles Labor Government has put cost of living relief for Ipswich jobseekers front and centre for a group of the region's newest project graduates.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work is a Miles Labor Government employment program that funds community organisations across the state to deliver local training and employment projects to disadvantaged Queenslanders, to assist them in gaining the skills and qualifications they need to enter the workforce and stay in it.
More than $743 million has been committed to the initiative since it was cut by the LNP, to boost Queensland's workforce in industries like construction, primary industries, community services and hospitality.
Today's graduates celebrate completing a Certificate I in Workplace Skills, Retail Services or Hospitality with Tivoli Social Enterprises Limited who received $1.49 million in funding to deliver three projects.
While gaining experience in their desired fields, the trainees have assisted in events such as The Tivoli Arts Awards and Saturday night movies at the Drive-In Theatre, catered at Tivoli's social enterprise Community Kitchen and Café, and worked in customer service at Tivoli's Goodness Enterprises Community Coop.
As stated by Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum:
"We know the cost-of-living is putting pressure on Queenslanders - this initiative provides essential support to help people secure ongoing employment to improve their livelihoods.
"For some, this may be the first formal qualification they'll have ever gotten, and for others their very first job.
"These SQW programs are about so much more than the amazing numbers they produce, they are about the moving stories of each individual that has worked so hard to make it to where they are now, at their graduation.
"The new Miles Labor Government knows that good jobs change lives – and low unemployment isn't an accident – deliberate decisions like funding Skilling Queenslanders for Work properly at $80 million a year make a real difference.
"In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, this initiative is more important than ever, providing essential support to help individuals secure stable employment and improve their livelihoods."
As stated by Lisa Schubert, Events Manager, Tivoli Social Enterprises Limited:
"Working with our trainees in the SQW program for the past three years has truly highlighted the program's value.
I've witnessed their skills, confidence and self-worth grow significantly throughout the 20-week program helping the participants further develop and move forward in their life."
As stated by Fred Muys, Pastor/Chief Executive Officer, Goodness Enterprises Food Coop:
"Goodness Enterprises (also known as Tivoli Social Enterprises Limited) is about empowering people for life – and making our community better – providing a future hope and sustainability for Queenslanders experiencing crisis through unemployment, hunger, homelessness and providing them a better tomorrow.
"Partnering with the Queensland Government and Skilling Queenslanders for Work is an important element in our program.
"This partnership has a profound impact, enabling us to reach more individuals and offer them the skills and opportunities needed to transform their lives."
Further Skilling Queenslanders for Work information:
The graduates are from across three projects:
- Ipswich West Moreton Community Connections Project - $499,800 in funding to support jobseekers to complete a Certificate I in Workplace Skills at Tivoli, while gaining experience in planning, staging and managing community events.
- Goodness Enterprises Community Coop Project - $499,900 to employ jobseekers for 20 weeks to complete a Certificate I in Retail Services while gaining experience in inventory management, merchandising, marketing, sales, and customer service at Tivoli's Goodness Enterprises Community Coop.
- Chuwar Community Kitchen and Café Project 24 - $499,900 to employ job seekers for 20 weeks to complete a Certificate I in Hospitality while gaining experience in catering, meal preparation, café operations, and event catering at Tivoli's social enterprise Community Kitchen and Café.
In the latest Skilling Queenslanders for Work funding round for 2024-25, Tivoli Social Enterprises Limited received a further $1.58 million funding to deliver another three Work Skills Traineeships projects:
- "Chuwar Habitat Renewal Initiative"– $527,900 in funding will employ up to 24 disadvantaged job seekers as trainees to complete a Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, developing a botanical eco-parklands and recreational area in bushland eroded by flooding and storm waters, for use by the local Chuwar community.
- "Goodness Food Redistribution Facility" – $527,700 in funding will employ up to 24 disadvantaged job seekers as trainees to complete a Certificate I in Construction, focusing on fitting out warehouse facilities on the property to serve as a bulk community food warehousing and distribution facility.
- "Chuwar Community Meals Kitchen & Cafe Project" – $526,400 in funding will employ up to 24 disadvantaged job seekers as trainees to complete a Certificate I in Hospitality, gaining practical experience in Tivoli's social enterprise Kitchen/Café to prepare them for sustainable employment in the hospitality industry.
