While officially drawing to a close, the Bundaberg Regional Council’s Jobs & Skills Development Officer Program will have long-term benefits for the region.
In June 2011 Bundaberg Regional Council was allocated funding from the Queensland and Federal governments, via Skills Queensland, to contract a Job Skills Development Officer (JSDO) to address skills shortages and unemployment in the region.
The funding was aimed at assisting Queensland’s jobseekers, apprentices and trainees, existing employees, business, industry and the community, while also supporting the Queensland economy following the devastation caused by floods and cyclones.
Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Mal Forman said the appointment of a Job Skills Development Officer had proved to be a huge success.
“Over the past 12 months we have seen many initiatives set up by our Job Skills Development Officers – Jo-Anne Cooper and Ainsley Gatley — and I thank them both for their hard
work and professionalism over the period,” Councillor Forman said.
Amongst its many achievements, Bundaberg JSDO was an integral part of the team that secured $1.6 million in funding from the Federal and State governments to implement the Bundaberg Workforce Skilling Strategy.
According to Cr Forman, “The project is currently delivering training to over one hundred participants, in
courses such as Asset Management, Maritime Studies, Welding, Construction, and in life skills.
