Gaye Newey
Gaye Newey, Annandale 4814 – 4728 5697 or 0407 967 870
Mother & Grandmother, Workforce Advisor
As a resident of Townsville for the past four years, I have been involved in many facets of business and watched how they have struggled to try and improve their businesses with the recruitment of skilled personnel. With our ageing population and the gap of trained and experienced staff to roll into the positions that retirees are leaving behind, as your Councilor I would like to see our Council be a leader in Apprenticeship, Traineeship, Internship and Volunteer programs.
Not only should we train new qualified tradespeople, but also to bring back the involvement of all unemployed people on a voluntary basis into assisting in developing a new and sustainable city. No need to IMPORT when we have willing and able people who are long term residents of our city. No unemployed person should feel that they are not valued in our society.
Lets take a leaf out of Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo employment programs, for instance. Not only does he employ locals in Apprenticeships and Traineeships but he has developed a mentor (Internship) program for volunteers to develop skills that they would not get without their assistance. With our expanding Tourism industry, and the development of the city heart area, we would have many opportunities for unemployed residents with or without a cultural background that could assist in passing onto tourists what a great city we have here.