Discovering Queensland’s Indigenous leaders

Forty Indigenous people from across the state working in the Queensland Public Sector will graduate today from the Wal-Meta Leadership Program with a Diploma of Government.

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the Wal-Meta Leadership Program addresses the barriers Indigenous Australians face in the workplace by offering guidance and promising career pathways.

“This qualification gives the graduates the ability to take on more responsibility in the workplace and move their careers to the next level.

“They come from nine different locations from around Queensland including Thursday Island and work for 15 different Queensland Government Departments, Agencies and Commissions.

“The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations’ Wal-Meta Unit offers the leadership program as a pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to further their careers in the public sector.

“Improving the employment outcomes of Indigenous Australians isn’t just about lowering the unemployment rate, we also need to ensure that talented and motivated individuals can climb the ladder and reach their career goals.

“I wish everyone graduating all the best for their futures and I’d like to thank the staff from the Wal-Meta Unit for their efforts to organise this 18-month program.”

The graduation will be held at the George Street Conference Rooms, 80 George Street, Brisbane from 1pm on Friday February 13.

Executive Director of DEIR’s Employment and Indigenous Initiatives division Bernie Carlon said the Diploma of Government was an important qualification which would open up job opportunities in management or other supervisory roles.

“The Queensland Public Sector is a major employer of Indigenous people and according to the 2006 Census 3.5 per cent of the state’s population are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander,” Mr Carlon said.

“To deliver effective services to Queenslanders the public sector needs to have people on the front lines and higher up who represent all parts of the community.

“The Wal-Meta Leadership Program builds up the skills of Indigenous people in the Queensland Public Sector so they are prepared for those higher positions.”

Increasing Indigenous employment and workforce participation supports the Government’s Toward Q2 vision of a fair Queensland

The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations is playing an important role implementing the Queensland Government’s Positive Dreaming, Solid Futures Indigenous Employment and Training Strategy 2008-2011.

Along with the Wal-Meta Unit the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations also administers the Indigenous Employment Policy for Queensland Government Building and Civil Construction Projects (IEP 20%), employs the largest network of Indigenous employment and training field officers and Indigenous Initiatives staff which are all working towards new employment and career opportunities for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people.

For more information on the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations’ employment and Indigenous initiatives visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call

1300 369 925.

Participants come from:

• Thursday Island (1)
• Toowoomba (1)
• Innisfail (1)
• Gladstone(1)
• Clermont (2)
• Rockhampton (4)
• Cairns (5)
• Townsville (7)
• Brisbane (19)

Contacts:

DEIR Communications Officer Austin Nunan on 3235 4060 or austin.nunan@deir.qld.gov.au

Ministerial contact: 3235 4060

February 13, 2009