Parliamentary Secretary for Employment and Economic Development Jan Jarratt said work, training or continuing education is the next step for eight young people who have completed a Get-Set-for-Work project with the Goondiwindi Training and Technology centre.

“Thanks to a $106,000 grant from the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, 20 young people will be recruited to this project this year,” Ms Jarratt said.

“Of the eight graduating, two have found full-time employment, two others are starting apprenticeships, two are returning to school and two are waiting to hear if employers will offer them traineeships.

“That is a fantastic result in the current economic climate and Get-Set-for-Work projects like this are assisting young people around the state to improve their skills, self-confidence and experience so they can keep working towards their goals.”

Get Set for Work is a $10.6 million program to assist young people aged between 15 and 17 who have left school early, or are thinking about leaving early, and who are unsure of where to go next.

Goondiwindi Training and Technology executive officer Esme Cairns said the participants joining the workforce would be working in retail, hospitality, agriculture and automotive engineering.

“The participants took on a lot of different tasks through the project including fundraising for the Victorian bushfire victims and the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea, helping prepare the grounds for the local agricultural show and painting the PCYC Youth Café,” Ms Cairns said.

“The group also undertook a mix of accredited training in rural operations and work education, as well as life skills and job preparation activities to help them make the transition from student to worker.

“They’ve all done really well so far and we’ll stay in touch to keep helping and supporting them as they continue what they’ve started through Get Set for Work.”