South Australian health sector attracts 40 Indigenous jobseekers

Forty Indigenous job seekers in South Australia can pursue a career in the health sector with the assistance of the Gillard Government.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib and Member for Kingston Amanda Rishworth said the pre-employment program focused on job readiness, health service training, job shadowing, mentoring and assistance in applying for South Australian health positions.

“This project is giving Indigenous Australians new skills and employment prospects in the health sector and the opportunity to begin sustainable careers,” Senator Arbib said.

“With the support of the South Australian public health system, Indigenous Australians will be prepared for careers in health administration, patient services, hospital support and allied health.

“The program builds on the success of an earlier program in Southern Adelaide in which 27 of the 40 participants secured employment in the health sector.”

Ms Rishworth said the pre-employment program was an initiative of the Maxima Group in partnership with the Adelaide Health Service. The program was supported by $197 000 in funding through the Gillard Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.

“The Gillard Government supports South Australian Health’s commitment to closing the gap on Indigenous employment by providing pre-employment training that will lead to jobs,” MS Rishworth said.

“This is not just training for training’s sake. Through collaboration between Government, business and industry, we are building and strengthening job and training opportunities for Indigenous Australians in South Australia.”

Senator Arbib said Treasury predicted 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.

“Indigenous employment is not a short term issue. Over the next four years the Government has also committed almost $650 million to the Indigenous Employment 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.”