60 jobs for Indigenous Palm Island trainees

Sixty Indigenous Australians on Palm Island will receive jobs, apprenticeships and training in construction, security and hospitality with the assistance of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib and Senator for Queensland Jan McLucas today said the Coolgarlee Aboriginal Corporation for CDEP were offering trainees accredited and non-accredited training.

“The training programs will assist the participants’ transition from working on community development employment projects to full time employment,” Senator Arbib said.

“The accredited certificates include training in security, construction or hospitality with non-accredited training to include budgeting, skills for managing work and home life, goal setting, career planning and communication skills.

“This is not just training for trainings sake, on completion of accredited training, participants will be placed into an apprenticeship or traineeship on either Palm Island or on the mainland.”

Senator McLucas said this program was a result of $253 000 from the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program

“Creating pathways to real jobs is a critical part of closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians,” Senator McLucas said.

“Through on-the-job training, mentoring and work experience, the program will equip local Indigenous people with the skills and confidence and knowledge to gain a job and contribute to their local community and economy.”

“Coolgaree Aboriginal Corporation for CDEP has developed the project in conjunction with the Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relationships and The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.”

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.