60 new jobs for Indigenous Australians in Greater Sydney
60 Indigenous Australians will receive training and employment in a variety of industries in the Greater Sydney area with assistance from the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.
Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib and Member for Parramatta Julie Owens said that the TAFE South Western Sydney Institute will deliver the Deadly or Not – Aboriginal Employment Services program.
“This innovative program will support participants to can join industries where skills are in demand, including industries where Indigenous job seekers have not traditionally sought employment,” Senator Arbib said.
“It seeks to upgrade existing employees’ qualifications in various industries including automotive, aero skills, transport and logistics, building and construction, finance, health, engineering, manufacturing and environmental science, design and tourism, hospitality, primary industry and the arts.”
“This project started in July 2011 and will run until August 2012. To date, eight Indigenous Australians have been placed into employment.
Ms Owens said the program was supported through $493,800 from the Federal Government and was a fantastic opportunity for Indigenous Australians in Western Sydney.
“During training, participants will have access to IT resources, mentoring, counselling and other Aboriginal support services provided by the TAFE,” Ms Owens said.
“The participants will continue to be mentored once they’ve been placed into employment, which means they will gain important support and information while in the workplace.”
Senator Arbib said it was critical that Indigenous Australians had the support and training they needed to take up employment opportunities.
“Over the next four years the Australian Government has committed almost $650 million to the Indigenous Employment Program,” Senator Arbib said.
“This is part of the Australian Government’s target to create more than 100,000 jobs for Indigenous Australians by 2018."