17 June 2011 – A proud group of Indigenous Australians from Darwin will graduate today from Jobfind’s Construction Indigenous Employment Program with the skills they need to find meaningful and sustainable work in the construction industry.

Eight graduates of an Indigenous Employment Program, offered by Jobfind Centre Casuarina in Darwin will be recognised today for their successful completion of training and work experience in the Construction Industry.

Funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations' (DEEWR) and the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training (DET), and offered in conjunction with Advanced Training International and construction firm John Holland, the Pre-Employment and Training (PEAT) program has helped Indigenous locals develop the skills they need to find meaningful and sustainable work in the construction industry.

As well as working towards a Nationally accredited Certificate III in General and Civil Construction, participants in the program completed hands-on work experience in the industry thanks to partnerships formed between Jobfind Centres Australia and a number of local and national businesses such as Allan King and Sons, Brierty, McMahon Services, Nilsen's and John Holland.

Already one participant in the program, William, has been placed into employment with Allan King and Sons, and another will soon begin a traineeship with work experience provider, John Holland.

“It’s heart-warming to see how each of the participants have blossomed as a result of completing the program, especially in their levels of confidence and willingness to engage with others”, said Julie Boughton, General Manager of Jobfind Centres, NT.

“Before starting the program many of the participants exhibited personal barriers to employment, being quite anxious meeting with employers and even their Jobfind consultants. But now, those walls have been broken down. They are now very comfortable ‘working with other mob’ and even asking questions that they would have been previously too embarrassed to ask.”

"With a strong foundation of training and experience under their belts, we look forward to seeing this bright group of people build what are sure to be successful and fulfilling careers.”

Gavin Stubbs, General Manager at John Holland, Northern Region had this to say:

"John Holland is glad to have been a part of this successful Indigenous Employment Program. As a long time supporter of Indigenous employment within John Holland, we understand how important these programs are and will continue to use them to source, train and employ local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory."

The graduation ceremony will take place on Friday 17 June at Advanced Training International, 835 Berrimah Road, Berrimah NT.

From left: James Singh (from John Holland), Noel (a participant in the program), Antanella Kyle (Jobfind Casuarina’s Acting IEP Coordinator) and Dough MacDonald (from Advanced Training International).

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For more information please contact Ry Bradly on 02 9259 5530.

NOTES TO EDITORS: About Jobfind Centres Australia Pty Ltd

Jobfind is a division of the Angus Knight group of companies, an Australian-owned organisation with a proven, decade-long record of providing quality employment and training services. A provider of the Australian Government’s Job Services Australia, Jobfind has placed more than 400,000 people into jobs since its inception. For more information on Jobfind and the Angus Knight Group, please visit www.jobfindcentre.com.au