The state government has released a new strategy to help Aboriginal jobseekers.
The state government has released a new strategy to help Aboriginal jobseekers.
Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier addressed the 'Training together-working together' summit today where he said outlined a series of findings and recommendations that aimed to establish a stronger connection between employers and aboriginal jobseekers.
"Aboriginal people remain among the most severely disadvantaged groups in the labour market, so there was a clear need to improve this situation," he said.
The strategy was developed by the 'Training together-working together' committee, and followed a series of metropolitan and regional workshops involving business, industry and community members.
"One of the main findings of the committee was a lack of connection and co-ordination between employers, jobseekers and service providers," Mr Collier said.
"Western Australia is on the cusp of the next wave of prosperity, with a host of new opportunities starting to emerge.
"While a large number of Aboriginal people are already in training, we need to ensure they transition smoothly into ongoing employment.
"To do this, it's important that employers know how to engage successfully with these jobseekers."
The multi-pronged strategy includes the creation of Aboriginal Workforce Development Hubs in regional centres.
These include Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Boulder, and Bunbury.
The strategy has been welcomed by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy.
"The bulk of our members operating in areas with high Aboriginal populations had developed specific strategies, aimed at increasing local employment and business enterprise opportunities," the Chambers Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith said.
"There's more to be done," he said, "but a state-wide strategy with government backing can only be seen as a positive step."