40 Indigenous construction jobs in South Australia

Up to 40 Indigenous Australians in South Australia will have job opportunities in the building and construction industry thanks to $260 000 from the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib today launched the Intract Indigenous Employment Project, at Dry Creek in Adelaide.

“This project is giving Indigenous Australians new skills and job prospects in the building and construction sector and the opportunity for long-term sustainable employment around Australia,” Senator Arbib said.

“The project will provide job readiness training, employment, cultural awareness and mentoring services for Indigenous South Australians participating in the program.”

Senator Arbib said the project was a partnership between Intract Indigenous Contractors (a Division of McMahon Services Australia Pty Ltd) and the Aboriginal Foundation with the support of the Federal Government.

“Through collaboration between state and federal governments, business and industry, we are building and strengthening job and training opportunities for Indigenous Australians from across South Australia,” Senator Arbib said.

“This project will make a huge difference to the lives of Indigenous people in South Australian communities and provide economic independence for themselves and their families.”

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.”