40 RAIL FREIGHT JOBS FOR INDIGENOUS WORKERS

Forty Indigenous jobseekers are set to get jobs with one of Australia’s largest independent rail freight companies, K&S Freighters, with support from the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib today said 40 Indigenous Australians would be recruited over the next two years.

“This national project supports K&S Freighters to undertake recruitment and selection processes, induction, training and licensing programs, employment placement and retention activities,” Senator Arbib said.

“The employees will also be supported to obtain heavy rigid, heavy combination and forklift licenses as part of the project.  To date there have been three participants placed into jobs and one employee has already obtained their forklift license.

“This is a great example of industry working with the Australian Government to address Indigenous unemployment and close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.”

Senator Arbib said the Federal Government was providing $624,000 to the project from the Indigenous Employment Program.

“Initiatives like this provide long-term work placements and allow job seekers to gain valuable experience and skills,” Senator Arbib said.

“It’s critical that Indigenous Australians have the support and training they need to take up employment.

“Over the next four years the Australian Government has committed almost $650 million to the Indigenous Employment Program.

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