indigenous training is a boost

The program, run by local training partner Diversity Dimensions, was initiated to address the unique challenges faced by indigenous people that prevent some from having a stable, beneficial career. The rate of indigenous people leaving jobs is one of the highest and some lack the skills to attract employers.

The Woolworths Indigenous Pre-employment program is run with state and federal governments and local organisations. The aim is not only to provide unemployed indigenous people with back-to-work job skills – it also addresses participants’ own challenges to employment. The program provides candidates with mentors on an ongoing basis so they have an independent third party to discuss their progress and any issues they may have. There is also on-the-job training and many of the candidates who completed the course were offered a job at Woolworths Goonellabah.

In addition, Goonellabah store manager Ben Gordon was on of several senior managers who undertook cultural awareness training to give an insight into the program.

Ben said, “The training gave me a much better understanding of the difference between indigenous culture and my own. I can now see potential problems before they become too big and intervene early. I’ll be much more sensitive to cultural differences. Things like eye-contact and other cultural things like that.” the store manager said.