On Common Country employment program secures fresh funding

Indigenous apprentice boilermaker Jake Harrigan can’t take the smile off his face after finding full time employment after completing a First Nations work employment program.

Jake Harrigan and Jeramaine Nean have both found work after graduating from the On Common Country customised First Nations Work Preparation Program for the Automotive Industry. Picture: Evan Morgan

Indigenous apprentice boilermaker Jake Harrigan can’t take the smile off his face after finding full time employment after completing a First Nations work employment program.

Prior to completing the course the twenty-two-year-old had been struggling to find work but he joined six others from the third intake of the program to successfully graduate this week with potentially more to come.

The customised First Nations Work Preparation Program for the Automotive Industry has been run by On Common Country in collaboration with the Motor Trades Association QLD since September last year.

Participants in the third intake completed a comprehensive five-week orientation with leading Townsville businesses, including sites with AMA Group Ltd, Carmichael Ford, Mike Carney Toyota, McClure Refinishing, Dymocks Mechanical and newly onboarded employers.

Since the program’s inception, 23 participants have transitioned and been retained into employment, while others have gone onto further training, having a direct positive impact on skills shortages in the sector.

The program was due to finish after the third intake but due to its success further funding has been announced through the Queensland Government’s Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grant Program to continue this vital initiative.

On Common Country Managing Director Noel Gertz, said the program would not have so successful without the support from the hard working staff to prepare the young people and support from employers.

On Common Country Managing Director Noel Gertz (centre) with Jake Harrigan and Jeramaine Nean who have both found work after graduating from the On Common Country customised First Nations Work Preparation Program for the Automotive Industry. Picture: Evan Morgan

“The success of this program emphasises the importance of industry collaboration in creating meaningful employment pathways for Indigenous Australians,” he said.

“We are grateful for the support from MTAQ, industry partners, the Queensland Government, and in particular our local employers. We look forward to continuing this important work.”

He said the program was a turning point in the lives of the graduates.

“There are situations where some of the young people for a number of generations, it’s the first time they’ve been employed, so they will now offer some hope and support for other have relations or close friends to engage either in the motor traders or some other area of employment.

“I think this program has demonstrated when we do have support of the employer organisations and industry that adds to our capacity to give people a real live opportunity, a real opportunity to get employment and do well for themselves in their in their family and the community.”

Jake Harrigan said the program had definitely turned his life around and he recommended it to others.

“It helped me get a job so I can earn some money for myself, you know and help me start my life off by getting the place.

“I recommend the program - get out there and do it.”

Originally published as On Common Country employment program secures fresh funding