Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development
The Honourable Andrew Fraser

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Green Trainees announced for local councils across Queensland

Local councils across Queensland – from the Cape to Coolangatta – will begin recruiting members of Queensland’s Green Army following the announcement of 262 Green Traineeships.

Minister for Employment and Economic Development Andrew Fraser announced the positions today when he visited participants for the start of a Green Army project running at William Duncan State School on the Gold Coast.

Mr Fraser said the Green Trainees would be employed at 48 councils and council bodies the length and breadth of Queensland. (see list below)

“Despite some recent positive signs in the economy, we’re not out of the woods yet,” Mr Fraser said.

“The Government remains firm in our resolve to save and create Queensland jobs to bring us through these difficult times even stronger than before.

“Queensland’s Green Army is a $57 million initiative to enhance our natural assets, strengthen our tourism industry and promote increased environmental awareness for all Queenslanders.

“More importantly, it will create 3,000 jobs through 2300 paid work placements and 700 Green Traineeships.”

Mr Fraser said the current round of traineeship funding would mean 262 jobseekers will receive 12-months paid work and skills to increase their employment options for the future.

“The trainees will be working across the state – gaining valuable skills and providing a greener environment for all of us,” she said.

“They will be working on a range of environmental projects which will include rehabilitating our natural areas and revitalising our green spaces.

“Green Traineeships are primarily designed for young people who don’t have post-school qualifications and need a nationally accredited qualification and experience to get their first start in the workforce.

“Councils have a year to fill these positions and we expect many to start recruiting immediately.”

People wanting to register for Green Army projects should phone the Green Army hotline on 1800 249 215 or visit www.greenarmy.qld.gov.au.

Queensland’s Green Army is part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. During 2009-10, the Queensland Government will invest $101 million in Skilling Queenslanders for Work to provide more than 21,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job-related assistance and skills training.

Twelve months after receiving assistance 71 per cent of participants are in employment or further training.

For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.

Media contact: Treasurer’s Office – 3224 6361 or 3224 5982


Traineeship location        No of trainees

Balonne Shire Council     1
Banana Shire Council     3
Barcaldine Regional Council     3
Brisbane City Council     24
Bulloo Shire Council     1
Bundaberg Regional Council     9
Cairns Regional Council     5
Carpentaria Shire Council     2
Cassowary Coast Regional Council     9
Central Highlands Regional Council     7
Central Qld Local Government Association     1
Charters Towers Regional Council     9
Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council     4
Cloncurry Shire Council     1
Cook Shire Council     2
Croydon Shire Council     1
Diamantina Shire Council     2
Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council      1
Etheridge Shire Council     2
Flinders Shire Council     3
Gladstone Regional Council     2
Gold Coast City Council      15
Goondiwindi Regional Council     1
Gympie Regional Council     3
Ipswich City Council     4
Isaac Regional Council     10
Lockyer Valley Regional Council     4
Logan City Council     8
Mackay Regional Council     12
Maranoa Regional Council     7
McKinlay Shire Council     2
Moreton Bay Regional Council     5
Mount Isa City Council     2
Paroo Shire Council     1
Quilpie Shire Council     1
Redland City Council     25
Rockhampton Regional Council     3
South Burnett Regional Council     2
Sunshine Coast Regional Council     10
Tablelands Regional Council     5
Torres Shire Council     1
Toowoomba Regional Council     16
Townsville City Council     20
Western Downs Regional Council     4
Whitsunday Regional Council     4
Wide Bay Water Corporation     2
Winton Shire Council     2
Woorabinda Aboriginal Council     1

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