The Brumby Government will invest $2 million to boost Indigenous employment programs in Victoria’s northwest.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings announced the new program for Victoria’s northwest today and said it would provide Indigenous communities with new employment opportunities through partnerships with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).
“This is a win for local Indigenous Victorians who will learn the confidence and skills they need to get a job,” Mr Jennings said.
“This is a win for local Indigenous Victorians who will learn the confidence and skills they need to get a job.”
“We’re also building career opportunities for Indigenous people and delivering new employment opportunities in the region.”
The Victorian Government will create new Indigenous trainee and cadetships in the Swan Hill and Mildura regions. Each program will employ eight trainees.
The initiatives are part of the Government’s Indigenous Partnership Framework, which ensures the department will work inclusively with Native Title Holders, Traditional Owners and Indigenous people and ensuring they have a real say in the future land management decisions.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Richard Wynne welcomed the program and said the Government recognised the fundamental role that Victoria’s Traditional Owners and Indigenous communities should have in helping to manage the state’s natural resources.
“The traineeships and programs will empower Indigenous people and Traditional Owners to participate and share their knowledge of natural resource management,” Mr Wynne said.
“Many Indigenous families in the northwest do not have the means or support to access employment without this extra assistance,” Mr Jennings said.
“The Swan Hill and Mildura programs will build on the successes of an existing DSE program at Lake Tyers, which has helped to redress barriers to employment.
“These initiatives have received great community support and I look forward to hearing more perspectives from Indigenous leaders and communities on the success of this program.”