AusLeisure

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) is considering handing unemployed people roles at the Commonwealth Games as part of a similar scheme used when Sydney hosted the Olympics in 2000.

With the program to include using the unemployed for volunteer positions for the event GOLDOC is also debating whether to install a work-for-dole initiative, which featured at Sydney 2000.

It comes after a report from Griffith University, the Games’ official university, into how they might be able to use the city’s unemployed during the Games, which run from 4th to 15th April 2018.

The scheme has already attracted criticism, however, due to concerns over potential exploitation of people without a job.

Australian Unemployed Workers Union President Owen Bennett and Australian Council for Civil Liberties President Terry O’Gorman are two leading figures to have already expressed fears about the initiative.

O’Gorman claims it raises “questions of fairness and compliance with labour laws”, while Bennett is fearful of exploitation.

Gold Coast 2018 Chief Executive Mark Peters (pictured below) confirmed a preliminary report had already been undertaken and that the issue was now being discussed with TAFE Queensland, who will help to train as many as 15,000 volunteers for the Commonwealth Games.

Peters insists the program would only be beneficial to those who take part, explaining that it will give them skills and attributes which they will be able to use after the completion of the Games.

Peters told the Gold Coast Bulletin “our question to Griffith was: ‘what is the unemployment scenario on the Gold Coast, are there skills we can tap into? Can we train them up?’”

“This will give them skills post Games as well.”

The volunteering initiative for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games is expected to be launched at some point in the New Year.

TAFE Queensland Gold Coast General Manager Jenny Dodd added “we are a training partner for GOLDOC and we are looking at upskilling the 15,000 volunteers.

“There will be about 120 different roles.

“We will look at starting our training in May next year, and this includes looking at upskilling long-term unemployed."

23rd May 2016 - GOLD COAST COMMONWEALTH GAMES ORGANISERS SEEK 1000 EXTRA WORKERS

18th May 2018 - COOLANGATTA TO HOST COMMONWEALTH GAMES BEACH VOLLEYBALL COMPETITION

17th May 2016 - PETER BEATTIE NAMED NEW CHAIRMAN OF GOLD COAST COMMONWEALTH GAMES

13th May 2016 - TICKETEK NAMED OFFICIAL TICKET AGENT FOR GOLD COAST 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES 

26th March 2014 - GOLD COAST COMMONWEALTH GAMES’ ATHLETES VILLAGE REVEALED 

18th February 2012 - GOLD COAST 2018 GAMES CHAIR ANNOUNCES CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT 

29th December 2011 - GOLD COAST COMMONWEALTH GAMES BEGINS RECRUITMENT FOR KEY POSITIONS 

19th December 2011 - STOCKWELL TO HEAD 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES ORGANISING COMMITTEE

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The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

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