Published Tuesday, 14 October, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Main Roads training program a great success
The first five graduates of a new Indigenous employment program were today congratulated on their success by Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traineeship to Employment Initiative was jointly run by Main Roads, Greening Australia and Jagera Daran.
The program provided 12-month traineeships for local Indigenous people, as well as opportunities for long-term employment with Main Roads.
Mr Pitt presented the graduates with their Certificate in Conservation and Land Management and spoke about the trainees' success and future opportunities.
"While completing their qualifications, not only have the trainees done an excellent job beautifying several Main Roads-owned green areas around Brisbane, they have also opened up a world of opportunities," Mr Pitt said.
"An opening has been created for the five graduating trainees to gain employment with Main Roads' operational branch RoadTek.
"If successful in obtaining a position, they will gain additional hands-on project experience in land management and conservation.
"Based on this year’s success and the terrific opportunities made available to participants, planning is currently underway for another Indigenous training program next year."
The traineeship initiative began in October 2007 after representatives from local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities approached Main Roads seeking opportunities to help develop community training and improve employment prospects for Indigenous communities in Brisbane.
Main Roads teamed up with Greening Australia and Jagera Daran, a company owned and operated by the Jagera people, to launch the pilot traineeship.
Jagera Daran Managing Director Caroline Bonner-Bray said cultural support and mentorship was provided by Jagera Daran.
"Current graduates will contribute to next year's program by helping new trainees understand the importance of this program and providing additional cultural support," Ms Bonner said.
"Already the current graduates have recommended the program to family and friends."
Greening Australia CEO Alan Smith said it had been rewarding for the organisation to provide training and watch the graduates learn about the importance of land management in regional and suburban communities.
"Throughout the initiative the trainees have given back to the local community by protecting and restoring the health, diversity and productivity of local green areas," Mr Smith said.
“Working in partnership with the community to achieve a healthier environment has always been a priority for Greening Australia and this traineeship program perfectly exemplifies the significant outcomes that can be achieved when community and government work together."
Valuable financial support has also been provided by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations’ Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative; the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations; and Construction Skills Queensland.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819. Photos available on request.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traineeship to Employment Initiative was jointly run by Main Roads, Greening Australia and Jagera Daran.
The program provided 12-month traineeships for local Indigenous people, as well as opportunities for long-term employment with Main Roads.
Mr Pitt presented the graduates with their Certificate in Conservation and Land Management and spoke about the trainees' success and future opportunities.
"While completing their qualifications, not only have the trainees done an excellent job beautifying several Main Roads-owned green areas around Brisbane, they have also opened up a world of opportunities," Mr Pitt said.
"An opening has been created for the five graduating trainees to gain employment with Main Roads' operational branch RoadTek.
"If successful in obtaining a position, they will gain additional hands-on project experience in land management and conservation.
"Based on this year’s success and the terrific opportunities made available to participants, planning is currently underway for another Indigenous training program next year."
The traineeship initiative began in October 2007 after representatives from local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities approached Main Roads seeking opportunities to help develop community training and improve employment prospects for Indigenous communities in Brisbane.
Main Roads teamed up with Greening Australia and Jagera Daran, a company owned and operated by the Jagera people, to launch the pilot traineeship.
Jagera Daran Managing Director Caroline Bonner-Bray said cultural support and mentorship was provided by Jagera Daran.
"Current graduates will contribute to next year's program by helping new trainees understand the importance of this program and providing additional cultural support," Ms Bonner said.
"Already the current graduates have recommended the program to family and friends."
Greening Australia CEO Alan Smith said it had been rewarding for the organisation to provide training and watch the graduates learn about the importance of land management in regional and suburban communities.
"Throughout the initiative the trainees have given back to the local community by protecting and restoring the health, diversity and productivity of local green areas," Mr Smith said.
“Working in partnership with the community to achieve a healthier environment has always been a priority for Greening Australia and this traineeship program perfectly exemplifies the significant outcomes that can be achieved when community and government work together."
Valuable financial support has also been provided by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations’ Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative; the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations; and Construction Skills Queensland.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819. Photos available on request.