Skill Hire Media Release
25-11-2010
Program boosts jobs opportunities for Indigenous Australians
Fifteen Indigenous job seekers are now reaping the benefits of a four-week training program to boost their skills and help equip them for the workforce.
The men, from Katanning, Mt Barker and Albany, completed the course run by Skill Hire in Albany last week and seven will start work with CBH in Albany on Monday (29 November).
Other members of the group are also in the running for jobs with businesses in the region.
The men completed the Personal Development Program developed by Skill Hire as part of the company’s commitment to providing training and employment opportunities for Indigenous people.
Skill Hire is a Panel Member for the Federal Government’s Indigenous Employment Program (IEP), which aims to make employment and training services more responsive to the specific needs of Indigenous job seekers, businesses and employers.
Run by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), the program is part of the goal to reduce Indigenous disadvantage including reducing the employment gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
“We have developed the Personal Development Program which focuses on developing a work ready culture and includes industry specific training - in this case grain handling and sampling,” Skill Hire’s Executive, Indigenous Strategy, Anthony Galante said.
“The program gives people who take the course a better understanding and awareness of some of the life skills needed to enter full-time employment, as well as basic training for specific jobs.
“The program doesn’t end when they start work – we also continue to provide support for the people involved after they start work.”
Mr Galante said that as part of the program, employers were invited to attend the training and become involved on a ‘hands-on’ basis including talking about their business and how they work.
This also gave employers the chance to be involved in the selection process for suitable candidates.
Mr Galante said Skill Hire had developed strong relationships with employers in the south-west to identify work opportunities for Indigenous people.
“It is great to see the benefits from these relationships and the opportunities opening up to provide sustainable job opportunities for Indigenous people through programs such as the IEP,” he said.
