EDUCATION, employment and training will be key elements at a newly-formed career hub at the Aboriginal Employment Strategy in Moree.
In July last year the AES secured funding from the National Indigenous Australians Agency to provide young Aboriginal people aged between 15 and 30 additional support, training and mentoring.
Moree AES team leader and career recruitment officer, Carol French, said the hub will deliver wide-ranging opportunities for young people.
“The AES hub will provide young Aboriginal people with a variety of supports,” Ms French said.
“These include job placements, career planning, pre-employment supports, identification, creating resumes, work experience opportunities, well-being support and mentoring.
“There is also a driver mentoring program that provides holistic wrap-around support,” she said.
The AES offices, on Balo Street opposite Moree Secondary College Campus, a Connected Community School, also offers a homework centre for students as part of the AES Career Hub funding.
“We are planning a homework centre to complement Moree Secondary College and enhance educational outcomes for Aboriginal school students,” Ms French said.
“The homework centre will increase job-readiness and training outcomes.”
Ms French said the Local Career Hub will help Aboriginal students build on their knowledge while in a culturally-safe environment.
“As part of this new approach, Moree AES has created a culturally appropriate youth space, where young Aboriginal people can come and feel safe and supported, and increase their opportunities with education, employment and training,” she said.
The AES, established in Moree in 1997, now has more than 10 offices across Australia, and has created more than 25,000 career placements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The network employs more than 80 full-time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and delivers tailored pre-employment programs providing the required skills and experience for clients to be job-ready for a specific role or industry.
The AES Career Hub at the Moree office features a full wall mural, designed, created and completed by local artist, Jason Brown from Mulga Custom, and Moree Secondary College students.
“The work represents the three Aboriginal camps in Moree, where Aboriginal people live, and proudly features ‘Gomeroi’, the tribal name for this area,” Ms French said.
