Australia, Anita 3 May : Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, Mark Arbib, and Member for Wills, Kelvin Thomson MP, today met with Indigenous apprentices at the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre in Brunswick.
The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre has a 100 per cent retention rate with its Indigenous apprentices thanks to the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union and the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.
Senator Arbib said 29 Indigenous plumbing apprentices had been employed under the Indigenous Employment program since 2004.The first six apprentices have recently completed their four year apprenticeship.
“The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre has done a great job in creating a positive environment for its Indigenous employees and that can be seen through their great retention rate,” Senator Arbib said.
“The program has a great approach to recruiting Indigenous apprentices.
“Potential apprentices complete a job readiness course to ensure that becoming a plumbing apprentice is the right job for them.
“Under the program, new apprentices receive mentoring from the CEPU and help with adjusting to working full time and living in a new place.”
Mr Thomson said the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre was providing great job opportunities for Indigenous people from across Australia as well as the opportunity to experience a new city.
“The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre is a fantastic facility. Brunswick is a great place to live and work and it is great that the Indigenous apprentices who have come from all over Australia feel comfortable here,” Mr Thomson said.
“I look forward to seeing more Indigenous apprentices and plumbers as the partnership the between the CEPU and the Indigenous Employment Program continues.”
Senator Arbib said the IEP was part of the Australian Government’s commitment to close the gap on Indigenous Employment.
The Australian Government has a target of creating more than 100 000 jobs for Indigenous Australians by 2018.
The Government has committed more than $750 million over five years to the Indigenous Employment Program to assist Indigenous Australians into ongoing, sustainable work.
