Employment project gives a helping hand

Delores Seaton is now completing further education and work placement through the Social Housing Tenant Employment project

North Queensland's Indigenous people are benefiting from a project aimed at enhancing job readiness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have moved to Cairns and Townsville through the Off Communities Investment Project.

Through its Community Renewal program, the department is co-funding the Social Housing Tenant Employment project with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. Delivered by Centacare, the project provides participants with personal and practical support such as writing job applications and preparing for interviews.

Delores Seaton is one of the people the project has assisted successfully. Delores was born on Palm Island and went to school at Bwgcolman Community School. She obtained an Advanced Diploma in Social Science (majoring in Drug and Alcohol studies) at Bachelor College in the Northern Territory, and later returned to Palm Island to work as a Teacher's Aide at her old school.

After recently moving to Townsville to improve her work opportunities, Delores linked up with Centacare through the Social Housing Tenant Employment project. Her aim is to get full-time employment assisting people to deal with drug and alcohol related problems.

Delores said that through the assistance of the project, she is now attending TAFE three days per week and spending another two days in work placement with the Salvation Army assisting the women's group.

"If you are looking to find work, the people at Centacare will do everything they can to help you help yourself," Delores said.

"Don't be shy, give them a call. I am glad I did."

For further information on the Social Housing Tenant Employment project, please contact Centacare (Townsville) on 4772 9000 or Centacare (Cairns) on 4044 0130.

For more information about Community Renewal, the range of initiatives it is developing in each area, and how you can access new services or get involved, visit www.communityrenewal.qld.gov.au or check the White Pages for contact details in your area.