• 12 job seekers in Ipswich have completed a Certificate I in Construction as part of the
Miles Government’s flagship skills and training initiative – Skilling Queenslanders for
Work.

• The graduates of the Work Skills Traineeships “Tackling Construction Skills” project
delivered by Energy Skills Queensland are the latest cohort to join nearly 100,000 job
seekers who have been assisted by Labor since the LNP axed the program.

• The project was awarded $544,900 under the Work Skills Traineeships program to
employ 24 disadvantaged job seekers, with the second intake running until
December 2024.

A group of twelve determined local jobseekers have found more than just training, they’ve
found a mission, thanks to a half a million dollar investment from the Miles Government in its Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

The group have just graduated with a Certificate I in Construction after using their time in the
program to rejuvenate the West End Bulldogs Rugby League Club.

The impact goes beyond construction with the clubhouse now boasting a fresh look and
improved facilities that is set to host more community events, including women’s NRL games
starting next year.

The trainees have gained invaluable skills and confidence, setting them on a path to secure
meaningful employment.

The latest cohort joins nearly 100,000 job seekers who have been assisted by Labor since
the LNP axed the initiative under Campbell Newman.

The latest graduation (held on 31 May 2024) is part of a 12-month project which received
$544,900 along with 224 statewide projects in the $51.7 million Round 2 in 2023-24.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum:

“A huge congratulations to our latest local Skilling Queenslanders for Work graduates
who’ve obtained their Certificate I in Construction.

“I’ve seen the hard work they’ve done down at the West End Foot Club from putting up a
brand new fence around the fields, constructing and painting seats, and putting up some
tiling inside the clubhouse to give it a great refresh.

“It’s a huge help to a great community club and I’m proud to be part of a Miles Labor
Government that has backed these job seekers to earn while they learn.

“Its great to know that most of the graduates have already gone on to work, or found
themselves a placement, so we know this absolutely brilliant program works.

“It was Labor who bought it back in 2015 after it was brutally axed by the LNP and since that
time it’s helped almost a hundred thousand Queenslanders get back on track, get skilled up,
and get into a good job.”

Quotes attributable to Energy Skills Queensland’s Skilling and Diversity Manager
Donna Isaacs:

“It’s not just about the participants, but it’s also about the community–this club is 110 years
old so there’s significant maintenance, repair works, and certain requirements that are
simply beyond the volunteer’s scope.

“To have a group of people who are learning a skill in construction, and be able to perform
those maintenance tasks and upgrade the facilities, is extremely important to the community
as a whole.

“We’ve got footy groups from under eight at this club and we’re now talking male and female
NRL and WNRL, so it’s really rewarding work for our community to be able to have a
localized club which offers something for everyone.

Quotes attributable to program participant Bill Alatasi:

“Coming out of school, I wanted to develop new skills that would later on transfer into me
building a future for myself and my family.

“I’ve developed a lot of skills during this traineeship such as painting, plumbing, and a bit of
tiling as well, but the one I’ve really enjoyed was plumbing.

“This is all about the community and if this funding was cut, we would lose a lot of things.

“The new generation coming up would miss out–kids that are not as motivated to chase
goals, dreams, and to achieve things that mean a lot for them as well as their family.”

Quotes attributable to program graduate Elone Taufa:

“I wanted to start a new career and I haven’t done much construction in my life, so I just
wanted to try something new.

“For anyone thinking about it, just take just take the opportunity if it comes. I’m just going for
it, and I’ve really enjoyed welding–it’s pretty fun.”