Scheme works for job hunters
A PILOT employment program helping young North Queenslanders crack Townsville’s extremely challenging job market has been heralded an early success.
More than 30 young people have found work through the State Government’s Sticking Together Project, which aims to reduce youth unemployment through one- on- one coaching.
Townsville local Genosha Geno, 20, said she had tried “everything” to find work but was unsuccessful until she received coaching and assistance through the program.
“I actually thought about moving to Brisbane because I had heard there were jobs there but I didn’t want to leave my family,” she said.
“It’s not nice being at home all day with nothing to do. I really wanted to find a job.”
Cheriese Ally was assigned as Ms Geno’s Sticking Together coach and helped her practice interview techniques, write resumes and approach businesses for job opportunities.
“I helped Genosha grow her confidence because applying for a job can be scary when you’ve never had one before,” she said.
“We also made practical changes like cutting her resume back to a simple two pages.”
After joining the program, Ms Geno was hired at the Rock Paper Scissors seafood eatery at Stockland Townsville Shopping Centre.
Employment and Small Business Minister Shannon Fentiman was in Townsville yesterday to check on the pilot’s progress and said early signs indicated the intensive mentoring scheme was a success.
“We are seeing strong results through early tracking … but a full report will have to be completed before we can consider expanding the program,” she said.
Townsville’s youth unemployment rate is 17.9 per cent, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Ms Fentiman said the pilot had delivered “real job outcomes” for young people in Townsville.
“We know young people in the regions can face challenges getting a job and staying in work, and that’s why it’s fantastic to see Sticking Together has helped 30 young Queenslanders in Townsville get a job and stick with it,” she said.
Ms Fentiman said giving young people “hands on” support was important to ensure they stayed in the workforce.
“We know that the longer young people can stay in employment, the higher the chances are of them continuing in employment,” she said.