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The Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor, today announced a new project that will give 10 Indigenous job seekers a chance to work with iconic Australian manufacturer R.M. Williams.
The Rudd Government is providing $110,000 for the project which will see participants undertake 12 weeks pre-employment training and work experience followed by 26 weeks employment at RM William’s Adelaide site.
Mr O’Connor said the project will give participants the opportunity to develop valuable skills in the manufacturing sector.
“RM Williams is an iconic Australian brand and major employer in South Australia,” Mr O’Connor said.
“This project will provide a gateway to the workforce for Indigenous Australians who often face barriers to employment.
“The unemployment rate for Indigenous people in Adelaide’s northern suburbs remains higher than for non-Indigenous Australians but this project will give participants a chance to develop valuable skills that will help them to secure future employment.”
Mr O’Connor said a key component of the project was the intensive mentoring and support for participants.
The project is part of the Rudd Government’s commitment to halve the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous employment within a decade.
Mr O’Connor said to further address the gap, the Australian Government is improving employment services for Indigenous Australians.
Developed after extensive consultations with Indigenous Australians, their communities, Indigenous and non-Indigenous business and service providers, the reforms to Indigenous Employment Programs will begin on 1 July 2009.
The reforms, together with Job Services Australia, the new, streamlined employment services system, will ensure Indigenous job seekers are supported to get jobs.
The new Indigenous employment programs will allow the Government to work with Indigenous communities, organisations and individuals to deliver a broad range of projects suited to their local circumstances and focussed on the best outcomes for all Indigenous Australians.
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