26/09/2008
Indigenous Employment Program
SKYCITY Darwin is celebrating the success of its Indigenous Engagement Program, a scheme which was introduced in January 2008 and now has 20 Indigenous employees working in SKYCITY restaurants and bars, kitchen, human resources and event service department.
SKYCITY developed their Indigenous Engagement Program in conjunction with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and aims to employ 70 employees over a 12 month period.
The unemployment rate for Indigenous Australians is two and half times higher than the unemployment rate for the broader population, and the programme was implemented with the aim of redressing this employment disadvantage by establishing an environment which provides training, mentoring and support, and a proactive approach to recruitment.
Highlighting the importance SKYCITY places on this program, General Manager Andrew Wilson says “As a leading employer in the region, we take our role in the community very seriously and are delighted to be a part of such an important scheme. We have employed an Indigenous Employment co-ordinator, Constance Bonney, to act as a mentor to ensure the program is meeting the needs of employees, and we’re encouraged with the early results of this iniative.
“An additional part of the program has been for all employees at SKYCITY to participate in Cultural Awareness Training which has proven to be a helpful and informative session on understanding the different backgrounds each and every one of us has come from.”
Marion Scrymgour, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Education and Training Indigenous Employee Program says “We are all part of the same community here in Darwin. We all need opportunities in life; we all need the chance to get ahead, and support our families.”
“That is why SKYCITY’s initiative to employ more Indigenous Territorians is so important and so exciting."
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Tanya Aylett
Sales & Marketing Manager, SKYCITY Darwin
Phone: +61 8 8943 8846
Fax: +61 8 8943 8834
Mobile: +61 401 451 778
E-mail: Tanya.aylett@skycitydarwin.com.au
Notes to editors:
Indigenous Engagement Program Background
SKYCITY is committed to the engagement of Indigenous Australians in our business and is strongly supportive of opportunities and initiatives aimed at promoting an environment which values the culture and heritage of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
As a leading employer in the Darwin region, SKYCITY is committed to:
• The development and promotion of ongoing and sustainable employment and training opportunities for Indigenous Australians.
• Building relationships with the Indigenous community to encourage a positive and collaborative effort towards achieving the goals and objectives of the Indigenous Engagement Program.
• Providing support to wider Indigenous community initiatives, in particular, to projects focused on Indigenous educational and health issues.
• Promoting an understanding of Indigenous culture both within our diverse workforce and to our clientele.
