40 Indigenous jobs for south west Perth

A new job and training program for Indigenous job seekers living in the south west metropolitan area of Perth will provide 40 jobs in the retail, hospitality and local government sectors.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib and Member for Brand Gary Gray said the South West Perth Keep Australia Working Committee had identified Indigenous disadvantage as a significant issue in the area.

“The ‘Job Ready To Jobs’ project will provide job opportunities for Indigenous jobseekers in areas including Kwinana, Rockingham, Cockburn and Mandurah,” Senator Arbib said.

“The program will run for 18 months with the support of Indigenous Consultancy and Intensive Supervision Solutions in conjunction with the local Keep Australia Working Committee.”

Mr Gray said the program was a result of $770,000 from the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.

“As part of the ‘Job Ready to Jobs’ program local Elders will be involved and encouraged to promote the project to their communities to increase participation,” Mr Gray said.

“In addition to the 40 jobs a further 40 training placements will be made available to get local people ready for jobs in these sectors.

“Employers will be engaged in the process through a series of forums to match job seekers with job opportunities in the retail, hospitality and local government sectors.”

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.”