Regional trainees take new skills to the workplace

More than seventy locals are better equipped for workplaces in central western Queensland after completing targeted hands-on training over the past two and a half years.

The Regional Skills Investment Strategy (RSIS) was funded by the State Government and delivered by the Remote Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) to deliver face to face training over a range of industries.

Coordinator Liza Cameron says the program which targeted people who were struggling to find work and employers wanting to upskill their workforce has been a huge success.

“Seventy percent of our graduates are employed, by anyone’s measure that’s a sensational outcome,” Ms Cameron said.

Students received face to face training in the central west under the scheme in the areas of farm business management, customer service, caring workforce and sheep and wool handling.

Of the 72 participants across these areas, 26 were trained in customer service, 21 in agricultural skills and 25 in the Caring Workforce initiative which is a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project.

“This program has set some long-term unemployed people on a path that offers many more opportunities than they could have imagined and given others a skills and knowledge boost that has set their work life on an upward trajectory,” she said.

“The success of RSIS is in part due to having somebody on the ground that can get the message out to employers and individuals about what training and incentives are available and what the benefits of training are,” Ms Cameron said.

While the RSIS program has ended relevant and accessible training in the region is still available.