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Initiatives targeting Recommendation 22QueenslandInformation and Communication Technology Skills, Training and Role Models (i-STAR) Grants Program The i-STAR grants program is part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to job creation in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry for all Queenslanders. Specifically, i-STAR focuses on developing ICT skills and training opportunities for all sections of the Queensland community. The program is being conducted over four years (2000-2003) and is based on the following three functions:
Target group: The majority of i-STAR projects directly or indirectly target Queensland youth. There is a particular emphasis on young people in regional communities and also from sectors of the community under-represented in the ICT industry. This includes young women and people from non-English speaking backgrounds as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The aim is to give these target groups exposure to the opportunities provided by the ICT industry as well as mechanisms for them to access training, jobs and careers in the ICT industry. Coverage: Queensland Timeframe: Four year grant program Responsible agency: Department of Innovation and Information Economy, Sport and Recreation Contact: Senior Project Officer Website: www.iib.qld.gov.au/i-star.html Get Set For Work Intensive training and employment assistance and a wage subsidy for project participants who gain employment. Target Group: Unemployed early school leavers aged 15-24 years communities of high youth unemployment. Coverage: 35 projects worth $2.94 million have been approved assisting 952 participants. 89 youths have already gained employment. Activity is limited to 15 areas across the State identified as experiencing high levels of youth unemployment. Timeframe: The program is funded from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002. Responsible Agency: Department of Employment and Training Contact: Manager Website: http://www.employment.qld.gov.au/programs.htm Community Training
Partnerships Aims to address key local/regional employment opportunities or issues that require skills development that cannot be adequately or readily addressed through other programs and avenues. A key goal of the program is to maximise the employment opportunities for the local workforce, particularly for those persons who are disadvantaged in the labour market and otherwise unable to access necessary training. Training needs to be tailored in recognition of the needs of participants – and focused on the identified local and regional employment opportunities. Target group: Unemployed and under employed. Coverage: 11 pilots and 70 projects throughout Queensland. It is anticipated that of the 5,133 participants who will be assisted through these projects, 1,165 will be in the 15-24 age group. Timeframe: 2000/2004. Responsible Agency: Department of Employment and Training Contact: Manager Website: www.employment.qld.gov.au/programs.htm Community Employment
Assistance Program Community organisations are funded to provide intensive employment and training assistance including post placement support/mentoring. Target Group: Long-term unemployed and those at risk of being long term unemployed. Coverage: State wide. Grants totalling $19 million were approved for 352 projects throughout Queensland for organisations to assist 15,507 long-term unemployed people gain better skills and more job opportunities with 5,826 gaining jobs. 40% of those assisted were youth and 37% who gained employment were youth. Timeframe: The program is funded over six financial years to 30 June 2004. Responsible Agency: Department of Employment and Training Contact: Manager Website: www.employment.qld.gov.au/programs.htm Community Jobs Plan Provides opportunities for work on a range of public works, community and environmental projects of benefit to the broader community with an emphasis on participants gaining training, competencies and work skills in activities that will lead to employment opportunities relevant to local labour market demands. Target group: Long-term unemployed and those at risk of being long term unemployed. Coverage: 539 projects throughout Queensland with grant funding of $76.3 million to employ 6,618 long-term unemployed people. Youth employment accounts for 46% or 3,045 jobs. Timeframe: The program is funded over six financial years to 30 June 2004. Responsible Agency: Department of Employment and Training Contact: Manager Website: www.employment.qld.gov.au/programs.htm Public Sector Employment
Initiative Aims to increase the number of additional apprenticeships and traineeships in public sector. It focuses on employing additional apprentices and additional trainees in public sector agencies including state government departments, local government, state statutory authorities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Councils. This program has a high youth participation rate with approximately 70% of participants being aged between 15 and 24 years. Approximately 69% of participants have found employment or further education and training at the conclusion of this program. Target group: All job seekers are encouraged to apply and the following targets exist:
Coverage: The program is available across the State with approximately 62% of places filled outside the south east corner. Timeframe: The program commenced in October 1998 and aims to generate 13,400 additional trainees and 500 additional apprentices in public sector agencies over six financial years. Responsible Agency: Department of Employment and Training. Contact: Manager Website: www.employment.qld.gov.au/programs.htm School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Initiative Public sector school based traineeships and apprenticeships have been available since 1 July 2001. The program supports the transition from school to work by allowing students (typically years 11 and 12) to achieve a senior certificate while they train in an industry area to achieve nationally recognised VET qualifications Public sector agencies receive up to $4,000 for each school based placement and the trainees and apprentices are required to work for the department for at least 96 days over the two-year period. Initially the program was only available to State Government departments but was recently expanded to include local government agencies, state statutory authorities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community councils. This is expected to increase the geographical spread of school based opportunities, diversify the traineeship and apprenticeship models available and provide additional employment based learning opportunities for disadvantaged young people, including Indigenous youth in remote locations. Target group: Students (typically years 11 and 12) are encouraged to apply. Coverage: The program is available across the State. The recent extension of the program to all public sector agencies is expected to increase the geographical spread of school based apprentices and trainees. Timeframe: The program commenced in July 2001 and funding is available over a three-year period. Responsible Agency: Department of Employment and Training Contact: Manager Website: www.employment.qld.gov.au/programs.htm Youth for the Environment and
Local Communities Aims to create 1,200 additional traineeships in the areas of environmental protection, horticulture and waste management and targets young people aged between 15-24. Agencies eligible for funding include local government agencies, state government departments, state statutory authorities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community councils and not-for profit community organisations. Target group: The program targets youth aged between 15-24 years of age and the following targets exist:
Coverage: The Initiative is available across the State. Timeframe: The program commenced in July 2001 and funding is available over a two-year period. Responsible Agency: Department of Employment and Training Contact: Manager Website: www.employment.qld.gov.au/programs.htm Private Sector
Employment Initiative To address Queensland’s current and emerging skill shortages by facilitating the engagement of additional apprentices and trainees in the private sector thereby reducing the unemployment level and ensuring Queensland’s future skills requirements will be met. Target group: Private sector employers and group training organisations which employ apprentices and trainees in identified skill shortage areas/occupations and meet the relevant criteria. Coverage: 86% of additional apprentices and trainees employed across the State between October 1998 and 31 March 2002 have been young people under the age of 25 years. Timeframe: The program is funded over six financial years to 30 June 2004. Responsible Agency: Department of Employment and Training. Contact: Manager Website: www.employment.qld.gov.au/programs.htm VET in Schools Program VET in schools enables the integration of industry-endorsed training within senior secondary schools. Students can undertake training in a wide range of industries. Queensland students can study VET programs within post compulsory school curriculum in any of the following pathways:
Approximately 57% of all Year 11 and 12 students in Queensland as at 30 June 2001 were enrolled in a vocational education and training in schools program. Target group: School students in Years 11 and 12 Coverage: Queensland Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible agency: Department of Employment and Training in collaboration with Education Queensland. Contact: Program Manager, Evaluation and Risk Management Website: www.training.qld.gov.au Youth Access Program The aim of the Youth Access Program is to provide training and employment opportunities to Queensland school students who are at risk of leaving school early. Its purpose is to correct and overcome early disadvantage before it becomes endemic by developing the basic skills necessary to access further training and employment through apprenticeships and traineeships. While the program intends to target those school students in years 9 and 10, the program also extends to students in years 11 and 12. With early intervention, it is hoped that the students will develop skills that will enable them to obtain employment or transition into a school based apprenticeship / traineeship or higher learning. Target group: Queensland secondary school students in Years 9–12. Coverage: Queensland Timeframe: 2001-2003 Responsible agency: Department of Employment and Training Contact: Training Purchasing Website: www.training.qld.gov.au Aboriginal and Islander Career Aspirations Pathway Program Working with Education Queensland encouraging students between grades 7-10 to consider working in Queensland Health as a career. Target group: Indigenous students aged 12-15 years. Coverage: Queensland Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible agency : Education Queensland Contact: Indigenous Education Programs Website: http://education.qld.gov.au/tal/atsi/aicapp Aboriginal Tertiary Aspirations Program Supporting, encouraging and mentoring Indigenous students through tertiary education. Target group: Indigenous high school students aged 15-18 years. Coverage: Queensland Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible agency: Education Queensland Contact: Indigenous Education Programs Website: http://education.qld.gov.au/tal/atsi Indigenous Allied Health Cadetships During semester holidays students are funded by Queensland Health to gain work experience along side allied health professional. These students are employed on completion of the course with Queensland Health. Target group: Indigenous high school students in final year and first year university students. Coverage: Queensland Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible agency: Queensland Health Contact: Principal Project Officer Website: www.health.qld.gov.au New Apprenticeships Access Program As at December 2001 there are 55 Indigenous apprentices employed by
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing throughout the State. This
includes four female apprentices and 14 school-based apprentices. The
apprenticeships are across trades such as carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing
and painting. The apprentices who have completed their indentures are employed for a further six months to give them experience at a supervisory level and to assist them in under-taking TAFE training towards attaining their Building Construction Licence Level 1. School based apprentices and trainees can be employed for up to 2 years. The program provides an excellent opportunity for these young people to gain real experience in the building industry. The success rate for apprentices employed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing who achieve their trade qualification is 76%. Target group: New Apprenticeships Access Program is aimed at school leavers including 2% females. School-based apprentices and traineeships are students from Years10-12 including 50% females. Coverage: Queensland Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible agency: Department of Housing Contact: Regional Manager Website: www.public-housing.qld.gov.au Moving Ahead Post School
Services Program The Moving Ahead Post School Services Program (Moving Ahead) supports and encourages the transition of young people as they leave behind the role of student and begin to take on adult roles. As the purpose of the Program is transitional, assistance for each individual is available for a period of up to two years. Moving Ahead has a dual focus as it provides support not only to the young person but also to their families/carers. The Program’s focus regarding the young person is aimed at enabling him/her to experience a range of options and opportunities as they work toward the transition to adulthood. This support may mean that over the course of their individual program young people may take on a changing role within the family, participate increasingly in the life of their community as well as build on existing relationships and recreational interests. Some young people will also wish to explore vocational goals. Assistance through the Program is twofold. Firstly, young people and their families will be assisted by Supports Facilitators to identify their needs and goals and to explore the range of possible formal and informal supports required to assist them work toward their individual goals. Secondly, the Program provides individualised funding which is used to purchase the identified supports and services. Target Group: Moving Ahead aims to assist those young people who, on leaving school, are not able to access State funded education and prevocational programs and vocational programs funded by the Commonwealth government. To be eligible for the program, a young person must:
Coverage: State wide Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible Agency: Disability Services Queensland Contact: Coordinator Website: www.disability.qld.gov.au Local Area Coordination Local Area Coordination is a service provided by Disability Services Queensland, which supports people with a disability and their families who live in the local community. The local area coordinator works with people with disabilities, their families and the local community to bring about positive changes that:
Target Group: Specific rural and remote areas of Queensland have been targeted to be service by a local area coordinator. The service targets people with a disability as defined under the Queensland Disability Services Act (1992). Coverage: Gympie, Hervey Bay, Murgon, Kingaroy, Mundubbera, Emerald, Longreach, Roma, Chinchilla, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Mt Isa, Mareeba, Mossman, Cooktown and Thursday Island. Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible Agency: Disability Services Queensland Contact: Program Development Website: www.disability.qld.gov.au Friendship Program The Friendship Program aims to enhance the opportunity for people with a disability to form friendships with other in the community by: Encouraging friendship support through services and community groups,; An individual support strategy. Target Group: Encouraging Friendship Support strategies are targeted to disability services and community groups. Individual support is available to people with a disability aged 18 – 65 years. People who have limited friendship networks and do not have a supportive service to help them to develop and maintain friendships will be give priority in accessing individual support. Coverage: State wide Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible Agency: Disability Services Queensland Contact: State Coordinator Website: www.disability.qld.gov.au |
