Indigenous Employment Program provides independence and confidence

Nine graduates from a Mission Australia Employment Solutions pre-employment program in the Hunter Valley were recognised this week, at a ceremony to mark the completion of the course.

The graduates have just finished the pre-vocational element of Mission Australia’s Indigenous Employment Program (IEP), which offers indigenous Australians who are looking for work the opportunity to secure a job in the health care or social assistance industries.

The overall objective of IEP is to increase Indigenous Australians employment outcomes and participation in economic activities, contributing to the government's commitment to halving the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous employment outcomes.

Upper Hunter Mission Australia Business Manager Maree Spokes said the aim was to help participants find a job and develop a career path in positions like nursing, aged and disability care work, residential support work or in the childcare industry.

“We provide four weeks of pre-employment training, which includes a five-day job readiness component and three weeks of industry specific pre-vocational training, as well as first aid training,” Ms Spokes said.

“We are now working with local employers and Mission Australia’s Australian Apprenticeship Centres to line up employment positions for our program participants.”

At Monday’s graduation, the participants were presented with certificates and cut a cake to celebrate the occasion.

Participant Julie Miles said before joining the program she had little motivation, but since completing the course she has gained independence and confidence.