Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Victor Dominello MP has today welcomed the launch of the RTA’s Aboriginal employment strategy to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to consider a career at the RTA.

“Boosting Aboriginal employment and job retention is a key priority of the NSW Government given that unemployment rates have regrettably risen to 20 per cent in recent years,” Minister Dominello said.

“This situation is not acceptable and the RTA’s initiative contributes positively to the NSW Government’s work with Aboriginal communities to build greater economic empowerment,” Minister Dominello said.

Minister Dominello described that the RTA’s ‘Walk the road with our mob’ employment DVD, launched on the eve of NAIDOC week, communicates the variety of employment opportunities available to Aboriginal people ranging from civil engineers to school crossing supervisors.

“The RTA offers pathways to employment with ongoing support which is a practical solution to improving employment outcomes for Aboriginal people. Importantly, it has three key focus areas: recruitment, retention and career development,” Minister Dominello said.

The DVD will be distributed to Land Councils, Aboriginal education officers in schools and the Aboriginal community in the next month.

NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay said that RTA also offers scholarships for Aboriginal students across the state in high school, TAFE and University.

“These scholarships are highly sought after and encourage Aboriginal students to seek a career in the civil engineering field,” Minister Gay said.

“In addition to financial assistance, the scholarships provide valuable work experience at the RTA.

For more information on employment and scholarships or to obtain a copy of the Aboriginal employment strategy or Aboriginal employment DVD contact the Aboriginal Employment Coordinator on (02) 8588 5106 or email Aboriginal_Jobs@rta.nsw.gov.au

Information about scholarships and a link to each university can be found at: www.rta.nsw.gov.au/careers/school_leavers/prgms_avlble.html