Noosa TAFE has found a purpose providing a space for jobseekers to gain skills though the buildings future is still undecided.
Last week Noosa MP Sandy Bolton and Mayor Tony Wellington joined Noosa Community Training Centre (NCTC) chief executive Arthur Hartley and several trainees at the TAFE site at Tewantin where they were working on a State Government Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.“It’s great to see that the NCTC has already assisted some 257 people to help them gain skills that prepare them for jobs across a variety of industries, including
construction, hospitality and business. Already 125 of them have found work,” Ms Bolton said.
“It’s especially exciting to see these people undertaking a project on the decommissioned TAFE site in readiness for its potential new owners – Noosa Council.’
At present the TAFE is still owned by the State Government, Noosa Council’s Corporate Services Director Michael Shave said.
“Last year we made an offer to purchase the site. We are still waiting for the State’s response to our offer,” he said.
State government funding of $484,200 will enable NCTC to deliver two new projects assisting up to 48 locals in obtaining on the job skills and certification, Ms Bolton said.
NCTC have worked with local unemployed people for more than 30 years as they transition to employment. Mr Hartley said being involved in the renovation and refurbishment of the old TAFE buildings would give the trainees real skills by working on a community project and get them ready for entry-level jobs.
Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington said the funding would offer genuine on-the-job training. “There’s
nothing like getting on-site experience under professional supervision,” he said.
Queenslanders for Work Traineeship program funds the wages of the trainees and provides support services that helps those unemployed overcome their challenges in getting a job.
To apply for funding under the scheme visit www.qld.gov.au/skillingqueenslanders or call 1300 369 935 by 4 April.
