Training for 20 NT Indigenous child care workers

Joint media release with The Hon Warren Snowdon MP and Senator Trish Crossin

Twenty Indigenous Australians will receive support in their transition from school to work with a specialised early childhood education training program at Kormilda College in Darwin.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib and Member for Lingiari Warren Snowdon said the program was a fantastic opportunity for remote Indigenous Australians to learn skills in Darwin and take them back to their own communities.

“Over the course of two years, the 20 participants will complete a Certificate II in Community Services specialising in childcare, a Certificate I in Gaining Access to Training and Employment and a Certificate II in General Education for adults,” Senator Arbib said.

“The participants will be supported with mentoring and job placements as they prepare for jobs in their home communities.

“This program offers a unique opportunity for the participants to gain skills in an area that is experiencing extreme skill shortages.”

Mr Snowdon said the Gillard Government had provided more than $330 000 over two years, through the Indigenous Employment Program as part of the commitment to close the gap in Indigenous employment.

“The participants in the program have been selected from remote Indigenous communities including Amangal, Burunga, Bulla, Bulman, Dhalunybuy, Galiwinku, Jikminggan, Looma, Millingimbi, Nauiyu, Pigeon Hole, Lajamanu, Warruwi and Yarralin,” Mr Snowdon said.

“To have participants placed into jobs in childcare centres in their local communities is a great outcome for the Northern Territory.

“The project complements the Government’s initiative to ensure all Indigenous four year olds in remote communities have access to quality early childhood education.”

Senator Crossin 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 Crossin said.

“This is part of the Gillard Government’s target to create more than 100 000 jobs for Indigenous Australians by 2018.”