Record number of Indigenous Australians find careers

This represents a contribution of 13% towards the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program job commencements for the 12-month period.

The figure includes over 216 School Based Trainees and 75 Full Time Trainees and apprentices who commenced their career journey through the successful AES Career Preparatory Program. The structured workplace-training program is managed by the AES in conjunction with its corporate partners - who include Australia Post, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Coles, Coates Hire, Westpac, NAB, ANZ, CBA, Telstra, Qantas, Woodside, Nine Entertainment Co, Westfield, Kmart Tyre and Auto.

AES CEO, Danny Lester attributed the success to the team’s unwavering focus on the AES’ purpose – to create a career opportunity for every Indigenous Australian.

“At the AES, we believe our work goes well beyond placing career seekers in their roles; we work closely with each individual to build their confidence and increase their self-belief. We help them to better understand their identity and purpose in their community and in doing so, achieve their aspirations and goals,” said Mr Lester.

“What a year for the AES! We transformed 1,957 lives through career placements, bringing the total number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we have placed into careers to over 10,000 - AND we celebrated 15 years in business”.

“Moving forward, we are committed to further increasing the opportunities available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the government and corporate Australia to achieve this exciting goal,” he finished.

In June 2012, the AES increased its national footprint further by opening a Darwin office and also launched its Cadetship and Graduate Program, designed to tackle the issue of low representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professionals in management roles in Australia.

This program is designed to move Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into medium to high professions and will involve on-the-job training and mentorships. Delivered in partnership with AES corporate partner organisations, the Program will equip participants with business management and leadership skills.

Some of AES existing Corporate Partners include:

-        Qantas

-        Australia Post

-        Westpac

-        Commonwealth Bank

-        NAB

-        ANZ

-        Telstra

-        Woodside

-        Kmart Tyre and Auto Service

-        Coles

-        NSW Department of Education and Communities

-        Housing NSW

-        Westfield

-        Nine Entertainment Co

-        Forests NSW

-        Intercontinental Hotels Group

-        Mission Australia

-        Melbourne Zoo

-        Sydney Opera House

-        Sydney City Council

If you would like to know more about the work of the AES and the opportunities available please visit - www.aes.org.au / www.facebook.com/aborginalemploymentstrategy

 # ENDS #

For further information or interviews with Danny Lester, please contact:

Natalie Payne/Hannah Ellson

DEC on behalf of the Aboriginal Employment Strategy

02 8014 5033/ aes@decpr.com.au

About the AES

The AES seeks to bring about significant positive social change by supporting Indigenous Australians in establishing successful careers. It does this through its Career Preparatory Programs inclusive of school based training, group training, apprenticeships, recruitment services, mentorships and community-based programs.

Nationwide, the AES works closely with a number of Corporate Partners including Australia Post, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Coles, Coates Hire, Westpac, NAB, ANZ, CBA, Telstra, Qantas, Woodside, Nine Entertainment Co, Westfield, Kmart Tyre and Auto who are committed to establishing a generation of Indigenous professionals, changing the face of employment in Australia and improving living standards for thousands of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.

During the last five years the AES has been responsible for: 

       Delivering over 10,000 skilled career seekers into long-term employment

       Increasing the current Indigenous Australian workforce by 5%

       Helping the Government to save over $458 million in funds that otherwise would have been spent on welfare benefits

       Created a network of more than 40 Corporate Partners, all committed to receiving trainees from the school based traineeship programs and working together to change the face of corporate Australia.