Indigenous Employment Program

Published: 11th September 2012

RDA Fitzroy and Central West (Queensland) have employed an Indigenous Employment Coordinator (IEC) for the region to manage the Indigenous Employment Program.

RDA Fitzroy and Central West took the opportunity to utilise funding made available through the Australian and Queensland Governments for the Queensland Natural Disasters Jobs and Skills Package (QNDJSP).

The package has been developed to support Queensland industry, business and communities affected by recent floods and cyclone Yasi.

The program comprises training and employment initiatives to mitigate skills and job losses, support the retention of skilled workers in impacted communities and address emerging skills shortages stemming from the flood crisis.

Addressing the chronic disadvantage of Indigenous Australians in the central Queensland region is a priority for the RDA and they have welcomed the introduction of the Indigenous Employment Program.

The role of an IEC is to utilise the QNDJSP funding to coordinate and facilitate training, work experience and employment opportunities for Indigenous people in the local region.

One of the many worthwhile projects was the flood recovery work to the Bedford Weir for the Central Highlands community. This was a joint project between RDA Fitzroy and Central West, the Central Highlands Council and Capricorn Training Company.

This practical employment experience improved the overall skill development of the participants and enabled them to contribute in the regions exciting resource sector expansion.

Skills learnt by the participants included, concreting, landscaping, general construction skills, machinery operating and irrigation and work readiness.

The restoration project repaired damaged facilities, strengthened and united the community and made the overall employability of each individual candidate stronger.

For more information about the Jobs and Skills Package, visit the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science, Research and Tertiary Education website. 

For more information, visit the RDA Fitzroy and Central West website.

(Pictured above) RDA Fitzroy and Central West Chair Cr Paul Bell, Central Highlands Mayor Peter Maguire, Queensland State Member for Gregory, Vaughan Johnson MP, Capricorn Training Company CEO Darren McDonell and graduates from the program.