Indigenous Traineeships At CouncilFive indigenous people have begun new traineeships with Latrobe City By Latrobe City Council - 28th March 2002 - Back to News Five indigenous people have begun new traineeships with Latrobe City Council where they will be working with major events, performing arts, administration, sport and recreation, and outdoor maintenance.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins, said the traineeships are part of Latrobe City’s Indigenous Employment Strategy which is aimed at employing two-percent of indigenous people in the City’s workforce by the year 2003. The two-percent will comprise twelve traineeship placements and three cadetships.
Cr Jenkins said that Latrobe City recognised the significant indigenous population of the Kurnai nation living within the municipality, and their social and economic disadvantages. "Council has looked at ways of addressing these disadvantages and has responded with this initiative," Cr Jenkins said.
"It is intended that this project will enable Council to continue increasing indigenous numbers in employment, expanding the occupational skills of the local community in employment creation and increasing training opportunities in the wider Latrobe community," Cr Jenkins said.
To ensure the program has full implementation support and to enhance the training employment initiative, Council has employed an Indigenous Employment Development Officer, Joanne Brunt.
"Since her appointment twelve participants have undertaken a pre-employment program at the GippsTafe, Midvalley Campus. This program offers a certificate in Introduction into Workplace Management, giving the students an idea of what would be expected of them in workplaces such as an office environment. Five of these were then chosen to undertake the traineeship positions," Cr Jenkins explained.
Ms Brunt said that the employment program would deliver a number of benefits to the community. "The program will enable participants on the program to choose a pathway towards a career opportunity of their choice, and is a powerful tool to increase indigenous employment opportunities and career development," Ms Brunt said.
"Statistics show an ever-increasing amount of unemployment, together with escalating problems of youth suicide, alcohol and drug abuse. The base problem is welfare dependent youth, and the best way to avoid welfare is through employment," Ms Brunt said.
"We also hope that this program will develop and deliver a mentoring process within the Koorie community that will foster the development of role models," Ms Brunt said.
"The employment strategy will also deliver cross-cultural programs and educational programs for staff at Latrobe City, and the wider community," Ms Brunt added.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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