Release type: Joint Media Release

Date:

40 Indigenous Australians train for jobs in Queensland’s meat industry

Ministers:

Senator the Hon Mark Arbib
Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development
Minister for Sport
Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness
Shayne Neumann MP

Indigenous Queenslanders will have the opportunity to train and work in the meat industry thanks to the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib and Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said 40 Indigenous people would receive pre-employment training and jobs over the next 12 months at Dinmore and across regional Queensland.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Indigenous Australians to receive training for jobs in an industry which is currently experiencing skills shortages,” Senator Arbib said.

“The 40 participants will begin pre-employment training that will prepare them for their transition into full-time work. This will include a confidence building program and time with a mentor to development future career plans and goal setting.

“Once the 40 participants have completed their training they will have the skills and support to begin entry level jobs with JB Swift.”

Mr Neumann said the $320,000 program, funded through the Gillard Government’s Indigenous Employment Program, was supported by JB Swift and Jim Ralph Employment Consultancy.

“JB Swift is Australia’s largest meat packer and exporter and will provide all participants who complete the pre-employment training with a job and a dedicated mentor for the first six months,” Mr Neumann said.

“The majority of the jobs will be located at Dinmore – however there will be job opportunities across regional areas of Queensland.”

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 Government has also committed almost $650 million to the Indigenous Employment 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.”