Opportunities abound for indigenous jobseekers


Dubbo company Fletcher International Exports is already putting the Tailored Assistance Employment Grants program to work, adding young Aboriginal employees from Walgett to its workforce.

The meat processing plant has taken advantage of the Federal Government scheme which aims to provide training and employment opportunities in the industry
for 200 indigenous youth.

Fletcher International’s chief executive officer Melissa Fletcher said the funding was important for the business.

“You need to use your influence within a great business to make a vehicle for your people’,” Ms Fletcher said.

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said there was a demand for employees with expansion of the meat processing sector. The program aims to meet the demands,
using people from disadvantaged backgrounds to give them a stepping stone into training and employment.

“Fletchers have identified a service delivery model of recruitment, job placement and mentoring,” Mr Coulton said.

“The project will target job seekers from highly disadvantaged backgrounds who require more support to address multiple employment barriers. Payments
will be

made on the achievement of outcomes,” he said.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion was pleased with progress made so far.

“These targeted grants support community-led initiatives that connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to real jobs and is part of the
Coalition Government’s

commitment to get more Australians into work,” Minister Scullion said. The news coincides with the announcement of unemployment figures being down
by 2.4 per cent in the Parkes electorate in the past 12 months.

Pictured is (back row) Fletcher International’s Roger Fletcher, Fletcher International’s Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fletcher, Member for Parkes
Mark Coulton, Training

Officer Supervisor Lester Daley, Training and Compliance Manager Michael Cooper, Recruitment Officer Deon Allen and Plant Manager Jason Herbert.

(front row) The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Gargi Ganguly and Chris Scales.