Government officials, local mayors, health care workers and industry leaders will converge on the Mornington Island area this week to put the spotlight on indigenous employment in the region.
State minister for aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and multicultural affairs Glen Elmes will visit Mount Isa as part of a broader visit to the region with the aim of drawing attention to indigenous education and employment opportunities.
He commented: “Hearing the community’s views on alcohol management approaches and initiatives for generating local jobs for aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a priority for this government.”
Mr Elmes will visit local students and teachers at Spinifex State College to discuss education programs available at the school.
“I’ll also be visiting the Xstrata Mount Isa facility to discuss the company’s indigenous employment initiatives, such as the Big 6 mining program, which aims to increase indigenous employment,” he said.
As part of Xstrata’s Pathways to Employment strategy, the Big 6 program has seen the recruitment of eight indigenous trainees to date.
Mr Elmes said the government was committed to bolstering employment and education opportunities for all Queenslanders, including those located in remote locations such as the Mornington Island communities.
