Indigenous job seekers in Kwinana get a helping hand
MatchWorks to boost Indigenous employment in Kwinana
Local employment service provider MatchWorks will help close the gap in Indigenous employment with the launch of the Deadly Yakka program in Kwinana on Monday 4 November.
Indigenous unemployment is three times higher than it is for non-Indigenous community members. Deadly Yakka is helping address this issue by delivering a tailored two-week program which produces real employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers.
MatchWorks Executive General Manager, Renae Lowry said the local employment team were passionate about delivering the life-changing program in the region.
“The Deadly Yakka program is all about community building, and job seekers often bring along family members who are also looking for work. MatchWorks have established robust relationships with Indigenous mentors, local employers who value diversity in their business, trainers and other services. These connections all contribute to make a positive difference to participant’s lives,” she said.
“The program had an 80 per cent success rate in getting Indigenous Australians into work in the last 12 months and all the employers we work with are committed to creating culturally safe work environments for their staff.”
Deadly Yakka covers goal setting and personal development, life skills for work, job search and interview skills, cultural awareness training, presentation advice and workplace expectations. The program also addresses personal barriers so participants can be supported to overcome any obstacles they are facing in their journey to finding work.
National employers across multiple industries have been major supporters of the program, including Concentrix Australia New Zealand, Schiavello International Pty Ltd, Woolworths [through Diversity Dimensions], Accor Group, Apprenticeship Group Australia and AFL SportsReady.
More than 60 people attended the launch of the 45th Deadly Yakka at Zone Youth Space. Special guests included Mayor Carol Adams from the City of Kwinana and Jonathon Ford, CEO of Moordijt Koort Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre and 2018 NAIDOC Perth Person of the Year.