Indigenous trainees gain work on Pacific Highway upgrade

Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister, Senator Nigel Scullion, and Federal Employment Minister and Member for Cowper, Luke Hartsuyker, were in Kundabung on Wednesday to congratulate five Indigenous trainees who are now working on the Kundabung to Kempsey upgrade.

The trainees are completing a Certificate 3 in Civil Construction through the MAP Training group.

Senator Scullion said there was a substantial  gap between those people who could be employed and those who were employed.  

“We think that this is the right thing and the right investment because it doesn’t pay for activity - it pays for outcomes,” Senator Scullion said. 

“I was speaking to one of the workers earlier and he told me he had been on the Work for the Dole program.  

“He is now getting trained and paid for his work and I just think that he is now off on a life career journey in whatever he chooses, which is what it is all about.”  

Mr Hartsuyker said the multi-billion dollar upgrade of the Pacific Highway was creating numerous employment opportunities on the Mid North Coast.

“These indigenous workers are gaining entry level training and experience which can potentially provide a career path in the future,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

“This is an important first step for these job seekers who are demonstrating a willingness to learn when given an opportunity.”

Local Indigenous man, Tye Williams, said he was grateful to be able to get the training needed to create a career in the future.

“A few mates told me there was a bit of work on the Pacific Highway upgrade and I went and asked if it was possible to get involved and this training program was offered,” Mr Williams said.

“I’m hoping to get training that will allow me to go onto further work in the construction industry in the future.”