10 Indigenous jobs in food processing industry

Up to ten Indigenous Australians will be provided with pre-employment training, jobs and ongoing mentoring in the food processing industry thanks to the Gillard Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib said the participants would undertake a Certificate II in Food Processing as they prepare for jobs in the industry.

“This project will provide Indigenous Australians with job opportunities and provide workers for an industry that is currently experiencing skill shortages,” Senator Arbib said.

“As part of their pre-employment training, the participants will learn things such as food safety, quality systems and procedures and occupational health and safety.”

Senator Arbib said the new project, developed by Boys Town and Snap Fresh, was a result of $50 000 from the Indigenous Employment Program.

“Entry-level positions with Snap Fresh, an organisation which produces frozen meals for airlines, prisons and hospitals, will be available to participants who complete the training,” Senator Arbib said.

“With the support of Snap Fresh and Boys Town the mentoring and pre-employment training provided to participants will meet industry requirements.

“As a subsidiary of Qantas, Snap Fresh is part of the Qantas’ group commitment to reconciliation and building relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.”

Senator Arbib said Treasury predicted 500 000 jobs would be created over the next two years and it was critical that Indigenous Australians had the support and training they needed to take up employment.

“Indigenous employment is not a short-term issue. Over the next four years the Australian Government has committed almost $650 million to the Indigenous Employment Program and $50 million to the Indigenous Youth Careers Pathway Program,” Senator Arbib said.

“This is part of the Gillard Government’s target to create more than 100 000 jobs for Indigenous Australians by 2018.”