Government funds 200 traineeships for Indigenous students
Mar 17, 2010
Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib launched the 2010 Aboriginal School Based Traineeship Program, which will see 200 Indigenous high school students work with businesses across Australia.
Senator Arbib said the Government was providing $700,000 to the Aboriginal Employment Strategy (AES) to support this year’s program which could provide participants with a pathway to employment.
Senator Arbib, speaking at the AES Convention in Sydney, said the program was a practical example of how the Australian Government was working with schools and corporate Australia to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.
“Under this program 200 trainees will receive a Certificate II in Business Services delivered through a partnership between the Indigenous Employment Program and the AES,” Senator Arbib said.
The traineeship program aims to achieve three key outcomes for Indigenous young people:
- improved school retention rates;
- increased number of students with HSC qualifications or equivalent; and
- improved transition between education and work.
Since 2007, 339 indigenous students have been placed with a range of employers including the big four banks – ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB and Westpac, Qantas, Telstra, Woodside Energy and Target.
The Australian Government has provided $2.6m for the school-based traineeship program since it began.
“This program provides an invaluable opportunity to Indigenous students and I congratulate corporate Australia, the AES and the students for taking full advantage of this program,” Senator Arbib said.
AES Chief Executive Danny Lester said school-based traineeships gave Indigenous students the skills, confidence and experience to help them start a career.
“Traineeships are the ideal place for young people to learn about employment and what it means to be a part of a company. As well as keeping students interested in school, school-based traineeships create ongoing employment opportunities,” Mr Lester said.
Senator Arbib said about a third of the students went on to full time employment with their host companies, while most of the remainder went on to further studies.
The funding for the AES is provided from the Government’s $750 million Indigenous Employment Program.
Minister’s media contact: Alison Hill 0407 570 640
DEEWR Media: media@deewr.gov.au Non-media queries: 1300 363 079
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