Aboriginal jobseekers in Wheatbelt have enhanced opportunities with new system for providing career support

A NEW system for providing career support programs and services around WA is improving opportunities for Aboriginal jobseekers in the Wheatbelt.

Directions is one of four community organisations that were previously operating as an Aboriginal training and job service provider but is now delivering its career support programs in a statewide network of nine Aboriginal Workforce Development Centres (AWDC).

The contracted services are also delivered through Bloodwood Tree in the Pilbara, South Metropolitan Youth Link in Peel and Southern Aboriginal Corporation in the Great Southern, building on AWDCs operating in Perth and the Goldfields, Mid West, South West and West Kimberley regions.

Department of Training and Workforce Development director general Ruth Shean said the new arrangement would ensure Aboriginal jobseekers benefit from more resources for training, finding employment or furthering their careers.

“Our expanded network will lead to a seamless and consistent approach to delivering services and achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal people,” she said.

“The new structure will allow the organisations to share resources and expertise.”

Staff from each of the nine centres met in Perth recently for professional development workshops, encouraging networking and information sharing. They also heard presentations on State and Federal government Aboriginal initiatives.

“This is an excellent example of government and non-government organisations working in collaboration to benefit local Aboriginal communities,” Dr Shean said.

“Our focus is to help Aboriginal people into sustainable employment. Making connections and enhancing relationships between employers, jobseekers, communities, service providers and government has improved employment outcomes for many Aboriginal people.”

The centres were established by the Department of Training and Workforce Development in 2010 and also support Aboriginal-owned and managed organisations’ employment and training plans.