Indigenous employment program launches in Werribee
MatchWorks launched the successful Deadly Yakka program in Werribee today for Indigenous job seekers in the region.
More than 40 people attended the launch held at Galvin Park, with Wurundjeri elder Uncle Bill Nicholson conducting a traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony for guests.
Deadly Yakka participants with Uncle Bill Nicholson at the launch.
The initiative, specifically designed for Indigenous job seekers, focuses on real employment outcomes and assists people to find a job they will be passionate about. The two-week course has delivered successful programs across Australia, with job seekers gaining and maintaining employment after working with Indigenous mentors and trainers.
MatchWorks Executive Director Renae Lowry said the purpose of Deadly Yakka is to bring communities together and to give Indigenous job seekers a supportive network to make the transition into stable and ongoing employment.
“The Deadly Yakka program covers goal setting and personal development, life skills for work, interview skills, cultural awareness training, presentation advice, workplace expectations and job search skills; while also addressing personal barriers to understand what has been holding participants back in their journey to work,” she said.
Deadly Yakka launched in Victoria in 2014 and has been delivered at MatchWorks sites in Bendigo, Sunshine, Bacchus Marsh and Warrnambool. It has also recently been delivered across ESG locations in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Western Australia.
MatchWorks and ESG will continue to roll out the initiative at further locations in the future.