Former Origin Greats promote jobs in Townsville

Former Origin Greats will join forces with industry and local businesses in Townsville today to promote job opportunities for young Indigenous Australians.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib and Senator for Queensland Jan McLucas said there had been an overwhelming response from Townsville businesses wanting to participate in this year’s employment and careers expo.

“The expos, now in their eighth year, are a key part of promoting the Government’sLearn Earn Legend!campaign which encourages young people to stay in school or training with the goal of finding long-term job opportunities,” Senator Arbib said.

“Townsville businesses have really embraced the expos - more than 60 exhibitors will be involved this year including Australia Post, Goodstart ChildCare and Thiess.

“The FOGS expos provide a fantastic opportunity for Indigenous job seekers and students to discuss firsthand the various opportunities available with local businesses, industry, job services providers, schools and tertiary institutions.”

Origin great and FOGS Chairman Gene Miles will be joined at the Townsville Expo by former origin players including Colin Scott, Sam Backo, Allan Langer, Gary Belcher, Greg Dowling, Arthur Beetson and Steve Walters.

Senator McLucas said the expo is one of six FOGS Indigenous Employment and Careers Expos being held across Queensland this year.

“Following the recent success of the mighty Maroons, I’m sure there will a great turn out at the Townsville FOGS expo,” Senator McLucas said.

“These outstanding former players are Origin legends and it’s great to have them on board with this important community-level initiative that is encouraging our young people to get excited and inspired about getting an education and getting a good job.”

“We know that a good education – and this may be school, TAFE, a traineeship or university - leads to better job opportunities.”

“That’s the message the FOGS and the Indigenous All Stars will be sharing with young Indigenous Australians.”

Following the success of the 2009 FOGS Expos, the Australian Government has committed $3.2 million to FOGS which will support 39 events in 2010 and 2011 including the Employment and Careers Expos, employment forums and corporate events.

These events build on the outstanding results from 2010, with 13 500 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and jobseekers attending FOGS events, up again from 10 500 in the previous year.

Of the 550 interviews and applications that have been received as a direct result of the expos, 345 Indigenous people who attended these events in 2010 were placed into employment or have engaged in further training – an average of almost 50 employment and training outcomes per expo.

The expos are part of the Australian Government's commitment to close the gap on Indigenous and non-Indigenous employment outcomes.

The remaining FOGS Employment and Careers Expos for this year.