GTA is the national peak body representing the network of over 150 Group Training Organisations (GTOs) employing apprentices and trainees throughout Australia.

5 July 2011

Training the key to securing Indigenous jobs

Group Training Australia (GTA) today supported calls by business leaders at the GenerationOne conference in Melbourne for the provision of training and mentoring to ensure that 50,000 job pledges for Indigenous people are turned into reality.

Through the Australian Employment Covenant (AEC), GenerationOne has secured employer commitments for 50,000 jobs for Indigenous people.

Group Training Australia is a member of the AEC, and is also on the Federal Government’s Indigenous Employment Program. The group training network employs approximately 20 per cent of all Indigenous apprentices and trainees throughout Australia.

The Chief Executive Officer of GTA, Jim Barron said that training was now the key to converting these employment pledges into real jobs. “It is a considerable achievement to secure thousands of promises of positions from businesses across Australia. It is equally important that we match this with tailored training and mentoring that meets the needs of both businesses and employees, which will convert these pledges into meaningful positions,” he said.

Group training organisations (GTOs) have a long record of involvement with Indigenous training and employment programs, and stand ready to work with GenerationOne to help participants to fulfil their training, and become productive members of the workforce.

“We know from work with Indigenous communities, including in the resources and rural sectors, that elements such as school-based training, and ongoing support through the training program are vital to the employment outcome. The role of trained field officers, providing mentoring and pastoral care has been central to ensuring that apprentices and trainees receive support throughout their trades training,” Mr Barron said.

“It is critical that as this program moves into the next phase, that there is appropriate funding for all aspects of the training program including pre-employment, mentoring and support. We look forward to working with GenerationOne and its partners to see that Indigenous Australians are afforded appropriate training that will allow them to move into sustainable, long-term employment.

“It is highly appropriate that such a landmark event in Indigenous employment should coincide with NAIDOC Week, which will celebrate the record, history and achievement of Indigenous people around Australia,” Mr Barron said.

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Group Training Australia is the national peak body representing the network of over 150 Group Training Organisations (GTOs) employing apprentices and trainees throughout Australia. GTA was recently awarded the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA) Small Business Champion Award 2010.  

Media Contact: Bob Bowden, Foresight Communications, 02 9241 2811, 0412 753 298 bbowden@bowmac.com.au