NEW STAFF ASSIST INDIGENOUS CAREERS IN QUEENSLAND PUBLIC SERVICE
Published Wednesday, 08 August, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Indigenous people looking for work in the Queensland Public Sector are set to benefit from a recent expansion of the State Government’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Public Sector Employment Development Unit
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said three new staff members have joined the unit, known as Wal-Meta, which is part of the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations’ Employment and Indigenous Initiatives division.
“Two of these positions will place Wal-Meta officers outside of Brisbane for the first time,” Mr Mickel said.
“Bilinda Barney will work at the Department’s Cairns office and Tracey Pang in the Townsville office as Principal Program Officers.
“Wal-Meta is dedicated to encouraging mainstream acceptance of Indigenous cultural values and these new team members will help them get closer to realising that goal.”
Wal-Meta was established in July 2001 to help recruit, train and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Queensland public sector.
Employment and Indigenous Initiatives General Manager Bernie Carlon said the Wal-Meta Unit provides a variety of services.
“Wal-Meta also offers current government staff cultural awareness training through a program called Mura ama Wakaana which means people working together,” Mr Carlon said.
“Senior Program Officer Tammy Rasmussen has joined our Brisbane office to help deliver this program to more people.
“It is an important service that seeks to help government agencies deliver their services to the Indigenous people of Queensland and promote cross-cultural understanding.
“Wal-Meta staff also help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people find and apply for positions in the public sector or arrange work experience for students in Years
11 and 12.
“Indigenous people are also offered assistance to develop their careers in government through the Wal-Meta Advancement programs which offer staff the opportunity to study for a Certificate III, Certificate IV or Diploma of Government or a Diploma in Frontline Management.
“This year is also the first time that Wal-Meta will be delivering its training programs on its own so it is an exciting time for the unit.”
People wanting further information on Wal-Meta visit www.wal-meta.qld.gov.au or phone 3237 1909
Media Contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
August 8, 2007
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said three new staff members have joined the unit, known as Wal-Meta, which is part of the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations’ Employment and Indigenous Initiatives division.
“Two of these positions will place Wal-Meta officers outside of Brisbane for the first time,” Mr Mickel said.
“Bilinda Barney will work at the Department’s Cairns office and Tracey Pang in the Townsville office as Principal Program Officers.
“Wal-Meta is dedicated to encouraging mainstream acceptance of Indigenous cultural values and these new team members will help them get closer to realising that goal.”
Wal-Meta was established in July 2001 to help recruit, train and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Queensland public sector.
Employment and Indigenous Initiatives General Manager Bernie Carlon said the Wal-Meta Unit provides a variety of services.
“Wal-Meta also offers current government staff cultural awareness training through a program called Mura ama Wakaana which means people working together,” Mr Carlon said.
“Senior Program Officer Tammy Rasmussen has joined our Brisbane office to help deliver this program to more people.
“It is an important service that seeks to help government agencies deliver their services to the Indigenous people of Queensland and promote cross-cultural understanding.
“Wal-Meta staff also help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people find and apply for positions in the public sector or arrange work experience for students in Years
11 and 12.
“Indigenous people are also offered assistance to develop their careers in government through the Wal-Meta Advancement programs which offer staff the opportunity to study for a Certificate III, Certificate IV or Diploma of Government or a Diploma in Frontline Management.
“This year is also the first time that Wal-Meta will be delivering its training programs on its own so it is an exciting time for the unit.”
People wanting further information on Wal-Meta visit www.wal-meta.qld.gov.au or phone 3237 1909
Media Contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
August 8, 2007