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Skilling Queenslanders for Work Training Saves a Life

The Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) program has once again proved its worth, with top notch training resulting in the saving of a life.

Member for Barron River, Michael Trout presented a certificate of merit to trainee Beau Ryan in recognition of his involvement in a rescue that saved the life of a tourist snorkelling on the Reef.
Mr Trout said Ryan had recently completed intensive basic training in the SQW program, which has already qualified 95 young Queenslanders from Cairns and the Whitsundays.

“The current program has $1 million in state funding and over $600,000 in industry funding. Total state funding over all 5 programs is in excess of $3.5 million and $2 million in industry funding over the last 2.5 years,” he said.

Col McKenzie, Executive Director of Australian Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) said the Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) Diver program had achieved over an 85% employment outcome, making it one of the most successful long term employment programs for disadvantaged youths ever run in Queensland.
“The current 15 participants had just completed some very intensive basic training in readiness for sea. On the first day of his deployment Beau Ryan was involved in a rescue that saved the life of a visiting tourist.

“Fresh out of his rescue training program, Beau was alerted to what appeared to be an unconscious snorkeller floating some distance from the vessel. He immediately went into rescue mode, reached the young lady in her early to mid-twenties, managed to get her on to her back, remove her mask and clear her airway whilst she was convulsing.

“He commenced immediate first aid and started towing her back to the other vessel with the assistance of another crew member, and fortunately the young lady lived to tell the tale. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Beau’s quick actions saved a life that day.
“This may not have had such a happy outcome if it was not due to the quality of training Beau had received as part of the SQW program.

“It is arguably one of the most significant and successful environmental, training and employment program ever devised and run in Queensland,” said Mr McKenzie.