Indigenous Engagement Blog

Congratulations Jobs for our Mob!

Once again the Jobs for our Mob project team from 2006, funded by the Indigenous Engagement Project have won yet another accolade for their hard work and dedication in supporting training and education for Indigenous learners across Australia.

Last Thursday at the Queensland Training Awards the inaugural Premier's Innovation in Skilling Award for 2007 was awarded to Split Rock Inca Alliance, comprising Queensland Main Roads Department, Seymour Whyte Construction and Myuma Pty Ltd, an Aboriginal owned company.

This award was presented in recognition for an organisation or partnership that has demonstrated the spirit of the Queensland Skills Plan

Myuma Managing Director Colin Saltmere was project champion for Jobs for Our Mob in 2006. Through this project an interactive training resource was developed which is now being used to help Indigenous people develop skills and gain employment in industries that are suffering chronic skills shortages.

The Jobs for our Mob CD-ROM engages indigenous participants through the use of multimedia resources featuring virtual worksites, safety practise, and animations, all using culturally suitable language.

Here is what Colin had to say after receiving his award:

Myuma Managing Director Colin Saltmere said there was a big void of all labour types in these industries right across the country.

“There’s lots of work with the construction and mining sector in Queensland,” said Mr Saltmere. “Our mobs have been sitting there for a long time and people have been ignoring them. We want to see them out there and holding their heads up high in society through real work.

“Through our new e-learning centre, the Jobs for our Mob CD-ROM, and Work Ready Programs, our trainees are gaining a trade qualification that makes them competitive on the open market.”

Once again congratulations to Colin and team for all their hard work and dedication, from the Indigenous Engagement Project.