The six young job seekers have landed sought after traineeship and apprenticeship positions at The Mossman Gorge Centre, one of Australia’s leading eco-tourism and culture centres located in Far North Queensland.
Lucille Kennedy and Deschell Hayward will commence a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery with Nancy Pilot, Jonnika Braico, Fernanda Temple and Nakita Czygan set to begin their Certificate III in Hospitality.
According to the 2011 Census, figures from the Mossman Gorge community show a 42.9% unemployment rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 15 to 64 years, with 84.2% of dependent children in families with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples coming from jobless families.
The Mossman Gorge Centre aims to combat these significantly high unemployment statistics and break the cycle of generational unemployment by offering nationally accredited training opportunities to Indigenous people in the community.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews, has made a special visit today to The Mossman Gorge Centre to personally congratulate these job seekers for taking the first step to changing their lives.
“It’s hard to imagine a better location to start out on a VET journey than Mossman Gorge” Minister Andrews said in a joint media release today about her trip to Mossman Gorge.
“The hospitality industry is a great employer in this region and there is considerable demand for people with real skills and qualifications in this sector, especially commercial cookery” Minister Andrews said.
It has been proven that youth participation in education and training plays a vital role in combatting the ongoing cycle of generational unemployment, with local opportunities and community support being paramount to a young person’s success in breaking this cycle and landing a job.
The National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2016 outlines the prominence of drug use in low socio-economic areas with limited work opportunities. What these young people may not realise is that by undertaking this new pathway of employment, they’re not only create a better future for them, but also for their families, their community and future generations to come.
BUSY At Work Managing Director, Paul Miles who accompanied Minister Andrews today said he was pleased to be able to visit The Centre and witness the excellent work they do first hand. “I am extremely happy to be afforded the opportunity to visit The Mossman Gorge Centre with Minister Andrews,” Mr Miles said.
“We know that traineeship and apprenticeship qualifications lead to successful, meaningful careers and change lives. By securing a traineeship or apprenticeship at The Mossman Gorge Centre, it already shows that these young people have a great work ethic and are well on their way to being successful” Mr Miles said.
END. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
MEDIA CONTACT: Claire Nelson
PHONE: 0400 650 930
EMAIL: Claire.Nelson@busyatwork.com.au
Source:
https://ajp.com.au/news/fact-check-unemployed-aussies-use-illicit-drugs/
https://ministers.education.gov.au/andrews/new-indigenous-vet-journeys-begin-picturesque-mossman-gorge
