HELPING HAND FOR EI HIT HORSE INDUSTRY WORKERS AND BUSINESS
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Embattled equine industry workers and businesses will soon have three dedicated contacts on the ground offering help, thanks to Queensland Government funding. Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said a $150,000 grant is being used to hire three employment coordinators to assist those affected by the Equine Influenza outbreak. “The coordinators, based at the Queensland Harness Racing Board in Albion, will focus on identifying workers suffering financial strain as a result of the outbreak who might benefit from short-term paid work on Skilling Queenslanders for Work projects.”
“They will then work with equine industry organisations to develop a suite of projects that will employ these people and help the industry recover until the crisis recedes,” Mr Mickel said. “The projects, which we aim to have running in a matter of weeks, will have a direct and positive impact on the industry and may include track works, beautification and upgrades of horse industry venues.”
Mr Mickel stressed that the assistance was not just for those in the racing industry – but that it covered all people adversely affected by the outbreak. “One coordinator will focus directly on helping people working in areas represented by the Performance and Pleasure Horse Industry Group which includes pony clubs, equestrian horses and show jumping, among others,” he said.
“The coordinators will also act as a conduit between affected people, industry and government - educating and advising individuals on available support and reporting back on areas of need and the success of the State Government’s wider $20 million Equine Influenza Response Package."
Racing Board Chairman Bob Lette said two of the coordinators – Kerry Baker and Gail Dawson - started this week and the Performance and Pleasure Horse Industry Group coordinator will be on board very soon. “The strict movement controls put in place to contain the spread of the virus have meant that business has virtually come to a standstill and people are suffering great hardship,”
Mr Lette said. “The equine crisis isn’t just affecting people directly employed in horse-related industries but has had ripple effects to many other businesses. “It’s vital that we offer people alternative income sources during these difficult times that don’t threaten the ability of employers to find skilled staff when the industry gets back on its feet. “By giving people the chance to get paid work on projects that will upgrade and enhance racing venues we can help them financially and keep them in the industry.
“The target areas for assistance are the Red Exclusion Zones within South-East Queensland – especially around horse industry venues.” During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest approximately $82 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 17,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland's prosperity.
Twelve months after receiving employment and training assistance, 67 per cent of participants are in employment. Skilling Queenslanders for Work is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.
Contact: Queensland Harness Racing Board Race Club and Events Manager Peter Duffy on 3624 8902 or pduffy@qld.harness.org.au
For more information on assistance available to people adversely affected by the Equine Influenza outbreak call the EI Work Placement hotline on 1800 200 825.
Ministerial Contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion on 3237 1125 October 25, 2007
The Honourable John Mickel
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Embattled equine industry workers and businesses will soon have three dedicated contacts on the ground offering help, thanks to Queensland Government funding. Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said a $150,000 grant is being used to hire three employment coordinators to assist those affected by the Equine Influenza outbreak. “The coordinators, based at the Queensland Harness Racing Board in Albion, will focus on identifying workers suffering financial strain as a result of the outbreak who might benefit from short-term paid work on Skilling Queenslanders for Work projects.”
“They will then work with equine industry organisations to develop a suite of projects that will employ these people and help the industry recover until the crisis recedes,” Mr Mickel said. “The projects, which we aim to have running in a matter of weeks, will have a direct and positive impact on the industry and may include track works, beautification and upgrades of horse industry venues.”
Mr Mickel stressed that the assistance was not just for those in the racing industry – but that it covered all people adversely affected by the outbreak. “One coordinator will focus directly on helping people working in areas represented by the Performance and Pleasure Horse Industry Group which includes pony clubs, equestrian horses and show jumping, among others,” he said.
“The coordinators will also act as a conduit between affected people, industry and government - educating and advising individuals on available support and reporting back on areas of need and the success of the State Government’s wider $20 million Equine Influenza Response Package."
Racing Board Chairman Bob Lette said two of the coordinators – Kerry Baker and Gail Dawson - started this week and the Performance and Pleasure Horse Industry Group coordinator will be on board very soon. “The strict movement controls put in place to contain the spread of the virus have meant that business has virtually come to a standstill and people are suffering great hardship,”
Mr Lette said. “The equine crisis isn’t just affecting people directly employed in horse-related industries but has had ripple effects to many other businesses. “It’s vital that we offer people alternative income sources during these difficult times that don’t threaten the ability of employers to find skilled staff when the industry gets back on its feet. “By giving people the chance to get paid work on projects that will upgrade and enhance racing venues we can help them financially and keep them in the industry.
“The target areas for assistance are the Red Exclusion Zones within South-East Queensland – especially around horse industry venues.” During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest approximately $82 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 17,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland's prosperity.
Twelve months after receiving employment and training assistance, 67 per cent of participants are in employment. Skilling Queenslanders for Work is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
More information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.
Contact: Queensland Harness Racing Board Race Club and Events Manager Peter Duffy on 3624 8902 or pduffy@qld.harness.org.au
For more information on assistance available to people adversely affected by the Equine Influenza outbreak call the EI Work Placement hotline on 1800 200 825.
Ministerial Contacts: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion on 3237 1125 October 25, 2007
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