90 new Indigenous job opportunities in regional Victoria
Up to 90 Indigenous job seekers in regional Victoria will be offered jobs and training opportunities thanks to the Gillard Government’s Two Way Street Indigenous Employment Program.
Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib said the Two Way Street project would target Indigenous job seekers in the Bendigo, Echuca, Sunraysia, mid-Murray and Ballarat regions.
“The participants will receive personalised mentoring and training support to overcome any barriers they face to entering employment, and at least 60 of them will be placed in sustainable jobs,” Senator Arbib said.
“More than 150 employers across these regions will also be targeted, with the aim of promoting the benefits of employing Indigenous Australians.
“The industries that will be the focus include government departments and agencies, building and construction, health services, tourism, retail and hospitality.”
Member for Bendigo Steve Gibbons said the program would be run by CVGT Employment and Training, with the support of $900 000 through the Gillard Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.
“CVGT’s program involves helping the most disadvantaged job seekers in preparation for sustainable employment and educating industry about the many advantages of recruiting Indigenous job seekers,” Mr Gibbons said.
“CVGT is an experienced organisation that clearly understands Indigenous employment in Australia must be a two way street between job seekers and employers.”
Senator Arbib said Federal Treasury has estimated that 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 opportunities.
“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 Australian Government’s goal to help Indigenous students find a job or move into further study and create more than 100 000 jobs for Indigenous Australians by 2018.”