Government partners Indigenous construction company

An innovative Indigenous Employment Program is working to establish an Indigenous construction company capable of competing for major projects in Queensland.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib and Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the project was a joint initiative between the Australian Government, Look Now Pty Ltd and Indigenous Construction Group Australia (ICGA).

“The program will ensure the company has the right expertise, infrastructure, recognised registration and accreditation to succeed,” Senator Arbib said.

“The company will specialise across a number of trades making it competitive and able to tender for large construction projects including important flood recovery projects in Queensland.

“Australian Government funding will also be provide for associated business owners to train for a Certificate IV level business-related course to strengthen their management skills. 

“In addition, a business development manager and project manager will be recruited to assist in ongoing business mentoring.”

Mr Neumann said the Look Now–ICGA partnership had received $310 000 funding under the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program with the aim of making the company an independent Indigenous profit making venture.

“The Indigenous Employment Program is a key part of the Australian Government’s closing the gap agenda, to help Indigenous Australians overcome disadvantage or barriers to work,” Mr Neumann said.

“Thanks to this collaboration we are building and strengthening job and training opportunities across Queensland for Indigenous Australians.

“It will be good to see Indigenous people helping to rebuild their communities after the devastating floods.”

Senator Arbib said 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.”