QITE closes Cairns, Atherton and Ravenshoe offices but keeps Mareeba open

A business with offices across the Far North has announced job losses in a ‘shock’ decision. WHAT FORCED THE CHANGES

A BUSINESS with branches in Cairns, Atherton and Ravenshoe has been forced to shut many of its local offices in what has been described as a “shock”, leaving many without jobs.

QITE (Quality, Innovation, Training and Employment) is a not-for-profit organisation that provides employment services in the region.

It was forced to close three local offices after it lost a Workforce Australia contract which it managed for many years.

QITE general manager Jillian Trout said the job active contract finished on June 3 and it had tendered for a new one but was not successful.

“The hardest thing for us is we’ve operated in this space for over 30 years,” she said.

Jillian Trout from QITE.

“Our performance was solid, we had a good reputation and we are very community focused.

“It’s been a shock for the whole community, we were absolutely shattered when we got the news.”

Ms Trout said QITE was still waiting on the federal government feedback to find out why it wasn’t successful.

“When we were performing, it’s hard to explain to staff why we didn’t win the business when our performance was solid,” he said.

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Despite losing the local contracts, the organisation was successful in other work, resulting in new offices in Townsville, Mount Isa, Ayr, Ingham and Charters Towers.

Ms Trout said it tried to keep as many staff as possible but still had to lay off about 20 staff.

“We own our office in Mareeba, so that will remain our main office,” she said.

Atherton Chamber of Commerce President Bree Hargreaves said it was a shock when QITE had to close their offices. Photo: supplied

“We own that building, we just couldn’t afford our Cairns, Atherton and Ravenshoe buildings to remain offices.

“We still operate on the Tablelands for labour hire, disability employment and harvest trial services.”

This meant some Atherton and Ravenshoe staff moved to the Mareeba office but Ms Trout said many of the Cairns staff didn’t want to travel.

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Atherton Chamber of Commerce president Bree Hargreaves said it was a great loss.

“QITE have been great supporters of the chamber over the years. We do hope that those people that lost their jobs are able to quickly find new positions,” she said.

“We are shocked to see that contract after so long, they have so many relationships within the business community.

“I’m a bit baffled that they picked up a new area and lost an area they had been in for so long.”

Originally published as QITE closes Cairns, Atherton and Ravenshoe offices but keeps Mareeba open